Health literacy among University of Zambia students: case study of full-time students (registered)

Abstract

In recent years, the size of information about health and diseases is increasing every passing day with the increasing use of technologies which facilitate access to information. However, health literacy plays a big role in selecting and using existing information in a correct way. It is a known fact that health information, messages and news affect health behaviors of individuals. Health literacy is widely considered as a key determinant of health and a priority in the public health agenda. Health literacy is a key element in the move towards people-cantered health systems. When individuals are educated and empowered to act on health information, they can make informed decisions about the care that they or others they care for, receive. Therefore, this study is designed to find out health literacy levels of students at the University of Zambia, particularly among full-time (registered) students. Areas of focus of the study were to find out the health seeking behaviours of full-time (registered) students, their ability to access and their ability to use this information. Data will be collected from 100 randomly sampled or selected full-time

(registered) in their first second, third and fourth year for 2018/2019 academic year. A self- administered questionnaire will be used to collect this data and give an opportunity to the students

to express their views on health literacy. The results showed that most of the students at the University of Zambia are health literate. This is evident from the data obtained in the field, which indicated that the students have the ability to evaluate, interpret, understand and use health information for various purposes in their social and health lives to make sound and confident health decisions. Furthermore, the results showed that students evaluated health information in order to follow instructions, to know relevant health information, and to timely and accurately access health information. Finally, the study recommended that the central administration at the University of Zambia should collaborate with Library and information science faculty to work towards making University authorities to see the reason to integrate the course ‘Health literacy’ into the school curriculum.