The relationship between infectious disease risk awareness and health literacy: A study among midwifery students

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between infectious disease risk awareness and health literacy levels among midwifery students and to identify factors associated with these variables.

Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was carried out between April 1 and June 1, 2025, with 231 midwifery students from a state university in central Türkiye. The sample size was calculated using Epi Info with a 95% confidence level, 50% prevalence, and 0.05 margin of error. Data were collected through classroom-based surveys using the Infectious Diseases Risk Awareness and Protection Scale (IDRAPS) and the Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, One-Way ANOVA, Welch and post-hoc tests, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed. Ethics approval was obtained (Decision No: 2025/06/14), and the study adhered to the Helsinki Declaration.

Results: The mean IDRAPS score was 149.7±14.1 (min:36, max:180), while the mean THLS-32 score was 33.5±8.2 (min:0, max:50). Fourth-year students had significantly higher IDRAPS scores, whereas third-year students showed significantly higher THLS-32 scores (p<0.05). Students reporting lower income than expenses had significantly higher scores on both scales (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in scores according to parental education levels (p>0.05). A positive and moderate correlation was found between THLS-32 and IDRAPS scores (r=0.405; p<0.001).

Conclusion: Midwifery students exhibited moderate health literacy and high infectious disease risk awareness. The positive association between these variables suggests that enhancing health literacy may support more effective infectious disease prevention behaviors among midwifery students.