An examination of ecological predictors of health literacy in black college students. Issue 6 (18th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosario, Carrie; Modeste, Naomi; Dos Santos, Hildemar; Handysides, Daniel; Gamboa-Maldonado, Thelma; Boyd, Kendal
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 65:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 423
• Page End: 431
• Publication Date: 2017-08-18
• Subjects: College students -- ecological influences -- health literacy -- sociocultural environment; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2017.1341894
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : Health literacy is a determinant of health, but disparities in health literacy persist. This study examined the influence of ecological factors on college students' health literacy. Participants : During January 2016 a nonrandom sample of black undergraduate students ( n = 298) aged 18–24 were recruited from enrollment lists at two urban universities in the Southeastern United States. Methods : Information on health literacy as well as numerous intrapersonal, social, and cultural-environment factors was obtained using an electronic questionnaire and then statistically modeled. Results : Ecological factors accounted for 28.7% of the variance in health literacy. In particular, reappraisal ( B = 0.323, p < .001), suppression ( B = −0.289, p < .001), campus health education ( B = 0.192, p < .05), campus tobacco culture ( B = −0.174, p < .05), and perceived norms ( B = −0.153, p < .05) directly predicted health literacy. Conclusions : Although intrapersonal factors influence health literacy, the sociocultural environment of college can also foster or hinder college students' health literacy.