Survey of health literacy of college students

Objective: To investigate the health literacy of college students for providing the basis of implementing health education and intervention measures.Methods: One thousand two hundred and forty-three college students from two schools were screened by stratified cluster random sampling method,and were investigated using health literacy questionnaire.Results: The proportion of college student with health literacy rate was 4.2%,the proportions of college student with health knowledge and concept,healthy lifestyle and behavior,and health skills were 28.8%,14.8% and 79.0%,respectively.The scores of health literacy,health knowledge,concept,healthy lifestyle and behavior in schoolgirls were significantly higher than those in schoolboys(P<0.01),the score of health literacy in medical students was higher than that in non-medical students(P<0.01),the score of health literacy in the first year college students was lower than that in the second college students(P<0.05).Conclusions: The level of health literacy of college student is low,especially in the healthy lifestyle and behavior.The correct guidance of lifestyle should be strengthened to promote the formation of health behavior,and improve the level of mental health.