Data Sheet 2_Health literacy of vocational and university students in the allied health professions in Germany—a cross-sectional study.pdf

BackgroundEvidence indicates that many vocational and university students in the allied health professions in Germany lack sufficient health literacy. However, strengthening health literacy is particularly important for this group, as these individuals play a key role in conveying health information. The objective of this study is to describe the levels of general and digital health literacy among vocational and university students in the allied health professions in Germany and to explore possible influencing factors.
MethodsThis exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey among vocational and university students in allied health professions in Germany. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires on general and digital health literacy. The survey was conducted in 12/2022 and included also socio-demographic data and health behavior. Various socio-demographic characteristics were examined for their association with health literacy through regression analyses.
ResultsData from 655 individuals were included in the analyses. On average, general health literacy was 67.4% (100% = maximum health literacy), with 53.4% participants displaying high general health literacy. The average digital health literacy was 60.9% (44.3% high digital health literacy). The only statistically significant indicator for higher general health literacy was male gender. In contrast, for digital health literacy, male gender, higher self-efficacy, higher alcohol consumption, and older age were associated with higher digital health literacy.
ConclusionIn this study, vocational and university students in the allied health professions showed higher health literacy levels compared to the general population in Germany. To improve competence, content related to health literacy could be systematically integrated into curricula.

研究背景：已有研究证据表明，德国卫生辅助专业（allied health professions）的职业院校与高校学生普遍存在健康素养（health literacy）水平不足的问题。然而，提升该群体的健康素养尤为关键，因为他们在健康信息传播环节发挥着核心作用。本研究旨在描述德国卫生辅助专业的职业院校与高校学生的总体健康素养及数字健康素养（digital health literacy）水平，并探讨可能的影响因素。
研究方法：本研究为探索性横断面研究（cross-sectional study），通过线上问卷的方式对德国卫生辅助专业的职业院校与高校学生开展调查。研究采用标准化问卷收集总体健康素养与数字健康素养相关数据，调查于2022年12月开展，同时收集了社会人口学特征与健康行为相关信息。本研究通过回归分析（regression analyses），检验了各类社会人口学特征与健康素养之间的关联。
研究结果：本研究共纳入655名受访者的数据分析。受访者的总体健康素养平均得分为67.4%（满分为100%），其中53.4%的参与者具备较高的总体健康素养；数字健康素养平均得分为60.9%，44.3%的参与者具备较高的数字健康素养。与更高总体健康素养相关的唯一具有统计学显著性的指标为男性性别。与之相对，与更高数字健康素养相关的因素包括男性性别、更高的自我效能感（self-efficacy）、更高的酒精摄入量以及更高的年龄。
研究结论：本研究中，卫生辅助专业的职业院校与高校学生的健康素养水平高于德国普通人群。为提升该群体的健康素养能力，可将健康素养相关内容系统性融入课程体系。