A study of health literacy and social media use of the students on vaccine preferences during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

Background

It is unknown if health-care literacy and social media use of the students affect vaccine preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives

The aim of the present research was to detect whether health-care literacy and social media use of the students affect vaccine preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods

The universe of the sample consisted of the students of a university in Mus Alparslan University. The sample of the research included students whose last digit of the school number is an odd number. Four hundred and twenty students participated into the study. The data of the study were collected through the "Sociodemographic Characteristics Questionnaire," "Health Literacy Scale (HLS)," and "Social Media Usage Scale (SMUS)."

Results

The total score average of the students on the "HLS" was 42.74 ± 13.85 and the "SMUS" was 21.30 ± 7.38. It was determined that those who have preferred the "Sinovac" vaccine had higher score averages on the "Information Understanding Subdimension" and "HLS" than those who have preferred the Türkovac vaccine. Furthermore, it was determined that the score average of "Continuity Subdimension," "Competency Subdimension" and "Social Media Use Scale" were higher, and these differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion

It was detected that the health literacy (HL) levels of the students were lower and they do not use social media competently. On the other hand, it was determined that social media use and HL affect the vaccine preferences.

Development of the Perceptions About Infectious Diseases Scale

Background and Purpose: When there is an infectious diseases, health behaviors demonstrated by individuals could have positive or negative effects on the spread of infectious diseases. Individuals' knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, emotions, attitudes, and behaviors about disease are formed according to their past and future experiences. Individuals' perceptions are considered to be important in terms of identifying their health behaviors. The purpose of the present study is to develop a measurement tool that identifies perceptions about infectious diseases. Methods: This study adopted a methodological design. It was conducted with the volunteer participation of 1,786 people who consisted of the staff and students of the university between June and September 2020. Results: The scale was found to consist of 34 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale and two factors. Cronbach's alpha value was found .98 for the scale. The correlation values showing the correlation of the items with the total scale score were found to be between .615 and .920. Conclusion: The scale that was developed in the present study was found to be a reliable and valid measurement tool.