Analysis on the status quo of health literacy of college students in Guangdong Province and its promotion strategy

Objective To understand the status quo of health literacy and its influencing factors of college students in Guangdong, so as to provide scientific evidence for formulating effective intervention measures and policies. Methods Stratified cluster random sampling was used to conduct a survey on health literacy among college students in Guangdong Province in 2021. Logistic regression was used to analyse the influencing factors of students' health literacy level. Results The total level of college students' health literacy is 45.3%; From the three dimensions of health literacy, 51.3% of Guangdong college students have health knowledge and conceptual literacy, 47.2% of healthy lifestyle and behaviour, and 40.8% of health skills literacy. From high to low, the awareness rates of the six types of health knowledge are scientific health concept (60.9%), prevention and control of infectious diseases (52.3%), safety and first aid (49.6%), prevention and control of chronic diseases (46.8%), basic medical care (41.4%), and health information (38.5%). And there are significant differences among students of different grades, home address, self-rated health status and whether they have taken health-related courses (P <0.05) in the aspect of health literacy. Conclusion Guangdong college students' health literacy still needs to be improved, especially in health skills, basic medical care and health information literacy. The government, families and colleges should work together to improve college students' health literacy.