Predictors of eHealth Literacy and Its Associations with Preventive Behaviors, Fear of COVID-19, Anxiety, and Depression among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Overview
Abstract:
Abstract: Background: The infodemic has been co-existing with the COVID-19 pandemic with an
influx of misinformation and conspiracy theories. These affect people’s psychological health and
adherence to preventive measures. eHealth literacy (eHEALS) may help with alleviating the negative
effects of the infodemic. As nursing students are future healthcare professionals, having adequate
eHEALS skills is critically important in their clinical practice, safety, and health. This study aimed to
(1) explore the eHEALS level and its associated factors, and (2) examine the associations of eHEALS
with preventive behaviors, fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S), anxiety, and depression among nursing
students. Methods: We surveyed 1851 nursing students from 7 April to 31 May 2020 from eight
universities across Vietnam. Data were collected, including demographic characteristics, eHEALS,
adherence to preventive behaviors (handwashing, mask-wearing, physical distancing), FCV-19S,
anxiety, and depression. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed appropriately to examine associations. Results: The mean score of eHEALS was 31.4 ± 4.4. The eHEALS score was
95% CI, 0.15 to 1.73; p = 0.019), and students with a better ability to pay for medication (B, 0.79;
95% CI, 0.39 to 1.19; p < 0.001), as compared to their counterparts. Nursing students with a higher
eHEALS score had a higher likelihood of adhering to hand-washing (odds ratio, OR, 1.18; 95% CI,
1.15 to 1.22; p < 0.001), mask-wearing (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.19; p < 0.001), keeping a safe physical
distance (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.25; p < 0.001), and had a lower anxiety likelihood (OR, 0.95; 95%
CI, 0.92 to 0.99; p = 0.011). Conclusions: Nursing students who were men and with better ability
to pay for medication had higher eHEALS scores. Those with higher eHEALS scores had better
adherence to preventive measures, and better psychological health. The development of strategies to
improve eHEALS of nursing students may contribute to COVID-19 containment and improve their
psychological health.
Keyword(s): health literacy; preventive behaviors; fear; COVID-19; anxiety; depression; nursing students; handwashing; mask-wearing; physical distancing; Vietnam
| Article number | 3766 |
| Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| Volume | 179 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar-2022 |
| ISBN | 1660-4601 |