The level of health literacy of secondary school students in Slovenia

Monika Sadar,Karmen Erjavec

doi:10.17532/jhsci.2021.1272

Abstract

Introduction: Health literacy of secondary school students is particularly important as they are exposed to higher health risk. Therefore, the aim of the study is to determine the level of basic health literacy, critical and mental health literacy, and numeracy of Slovenian secondary school nursing students using a cross-sectional comparative method.Methods: The questionnaire measuring the level of basic numerical, critical, and mental health literacy was completed by 249 secondary school students, divided into a group of secondary school students attending a nursing program and students of others similar secondary schools such as economic technician, chemical technician and preschool education.Results: Secondary nursing students were found to have statistically significantly higher levels of basic and mental health literacy than their peers, rather than numerical and critical health literacy. In addition, the results show that there is no statistically significant difference in the level of health literacy between the groups of secondary school students in relation to the environment (rural/urban area).Conclusion: Numerical and critical health literacy should be systematically developed in nursing schools, and at least the basic aspects of health literacy should be introduced in all secondary school curricula.

Highlights

Health literacy of secondary school students is important as they are exposed to higher health risk
The aim of the research was to determine the level of basic, numerical, critical, and mental health literacy of secondary school nursing students and other comparable secondary school programs in which they do not have health education or more complex health content, and whether it differs by residence, gender, and absenteeism
Health literacy of secondary school nursing students First, we examined whether secondary nursing students and others differed statistically significantly in the level of health literacy, which includes numerical, critical, and mental health literacy, as well as basic health knowledge and skills

Summary

Introduction

Health literacy of secondary school students is important as they are exposed to higher health risk. The aim of the study is to determine the level of basic health literacy, critical and mental health literacy, and numeracy of Slovenian secondary school nursing students using a cross-sectional comparative method. An individual requires certain knowledge and skills that lead to healthy choices. Such an individual is highly health literate. The introduction of a school curriculum to raise the level of health literacy is one of the basic goals of the Shanghai Declaration, to be achieved by the signatories by 2030 (2), but according to the available data, the East European countries are not (yet) implementing the activity declarations.

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion