The health literacy levels among university students are gaining increased attention, particularly within the Central Asian region. A comprehensive study conducted recently sheds light on the health literacy (HL) of students across various fields of education in Kazakhstan, finding overall excellent levels of HL and emphasizing significant influences on these outcomes.
This large-scale assessment involved 3,230 students and employed the HLS19-Q12 tool, yielding a mean HL score of 85.86 ± 18.67 out of 100. This score categorizes students' HL as excellent, but nuances emerge upon examining results by field of study. Notably, students enrolled in health sciences exhibited the highest mean HL score of 88.22 ± 17.53, compared to scores of 86.13 ± 18.11 for humanities and social sciences, and 83.27 ± 20.07 for engineering students.
According to the authors of the article, "The factors negatively associated with HL were region of origin, health information searching, lack of basic life support skills, smoking, self-assessment of health as bad, and missing study days." The study also highlighted alarming findings connecting poor health perceptions to lower HL. Students who assessed their health status as bad had significantly lower levels of HL compared to those who rated their health as very good.
Researchers focused not only on overall HL levels but also on how demographic and socioeconomic factors heavily influence these outcomes. The findings revealed significant disparities based on regions within Kazakhstan, pointing out challenges faced by students from rural backgrounds. For example, students residing in the West region scored markedly lower on health literacy assessments, indicating the need for focused health education efforts.
Socioeconomic factors emerged as pivotal determinants of HL. Variables such as affordability of medical care, availability of health information—in both online and traditional formats—social connections, and family educational background were significant influencers. The study identifies social support as another key component, indicating students with strong networks of support are more likely to report higher HL levels.
The findings correspond with global trends wherein health literacy varies significantly across different populations. Many studies suggest students within health-related disciplines often have higher HL compared to their non-health-related peers. This was echoed within the Kazakhstan study, which advocates for targeted health literacy interventions to bolster the knowledge and skills necessary for effective health management.
The study's results offer rich insights not only for Kazakhstani universities but also for the broader Central Asian region experiencing similar public health integration challenges. Health literacy is not merely about knowledge; it is closely intertwined with behavior, social dynamics, and individual perceptions of worth. The researchers emphasized, "By identifying key determinants of HL, this study may support the development of evidence-based policies and programs aimed at improving HL and, conversely, enhancing health outcomes among youth."
Conclusively, the current study has paved the way for future studies to act based on the identified determinants and HL levels, fueling discussions and initiatives around youth health promotion. These findings can play integral roles in shaping health education policies targeting university students, defining paths toward improved health literacy within Kazakhstan and potentially impacting neighboring regions.