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Enhancing Health Literacy and Health Information Seeking Behaviour of University Students: A Review of the Current Global Landscape

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  • Dilhani Munasinghe

    (Senior Assistant Librarian, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo)

Abstract

This review investigates the trends, challenges, and strategies related to health literacy (HL) and health information-seeking behaviours (HISB) among university students using research data published between 2020 and 2024. The primary objectives of the study include examining key patterns in health literacy, assessing the notable influence of technology advancements in HL and HISB, studying the influence of educational backgrounds in HISB, and exploring strategies to enhance health literacy. The review’s overall results indicated that despite improvements in HL over time, there are still significant challenges remaining. Firstly, assessing the credibility of health information and then adjusting to quickly changing health guidelines. The accessibility of health information influences the level of HL, especially with new obstacles like misinformation and privacy concerns. Health literacy is influenced by educational backgrounds, with students in health-related sciences demonstrating superior ability to assess health information compared to their peers in other disciplines. This indicates the importance of including comprehensive HL in every field of study. Many strategies proposed in the literature suggest incorporating health literacy education into college courses and utilizing engaging educational tools to emphasize trustworthy information from credible sources. Both students and faculty members should receive appropriate training in critical reading and evaluation. Moreover, it is essential to view HL as one of the central elements in higher-education programmes due to the important role in students’ academic and social life. These discoveries are extremely significant for individuals who are looking to support literacy, carry out interventions, and conduct research in the field of health literacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Dilhani Munasinghe, 2025. "Enhancing Health Literacy and Health Information Seeking Behaviour of University Students: A Review of the Current Global Landscape," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(3), pages 3590-3603, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-3:p:3590-3603
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rafaela Rosário & Maria R. O. Martins & Cláudia Augusto & Maria José Silva & Silvana Martins & Ana Duarte & Inês Fronteira & Neida Ramos & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski, 2020. "Associations between COVID-19-Related Digital Health Literacy and Online Information-Seeking Behavior among Portuguese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Carsten K. Bak & Jeanne Ø. Krammer & Kevin Dadaczynski & Okan Orkan & Jesper von Seelen & Christina Prinds & Lene M. Søbjerg & Heidi Klakk, 2022. "Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking Behavior among University College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from Denmark," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Veronica Gallinoro & Andrea Guida & Chiara Morittu & Valerio Ferro Allodola & Vieri Lastrucci & Patrizio Zanobini & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski & Chiara Lorini, 2023. "Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking in the Era of COVID-19: Gender Differences Emerged from a Florentine University Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    4. Mitja Vrdelja & Sanja Vrbovšek & Vito Klopčič & Kevin Dadaczynski & Orkan Okan, 2021. "Facing the Growing COVID-19 Infodemic: Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking Behaviour of University Students in Slovenia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.
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