Health literacy of vocational and university students in the allied health professions in Germany – a cross-sectional study

Background Evidence indicates that many vocational and university students in the allied health professions in Germany lack sufficient health literacy. However, strengthening health literacy is particularly important for this group, as these individuals play a key role in conveying health information. The objective of this study is to describe the levels of general and digital health literacy among vocational and university students in the allied health professions in Germany and to explore possible influencing factors. Methods This exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey among vocational and university students in allied health professions in Germany. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires on general and digital health literacy. The survey was conducted in 12/2022 and included also sociodemographic data and health behavior. Various sociodemographic characteristics were examined for their association with health literacy through regression analyses. Results Data from 655 individuals were included in the analyses. On average, general health literacy was 67.4% (100% = maximum health literacy), with 53.4% participants displaying high general health literacy. The average digital health literacy was 60.9% (44.3% high digital health literacy). The only statistically significant indicator for higher general health literacy was male gender. In contrast, for digital health literacy, male gender, higher self-efficacy, higher alcohol consumption, and older age were associated with higher digital health literacy. Conclusion In this study, vocational and university students in the allied health professions showed higher health literacy levels compared to the general population in Germany. To improve competence, content related to health literacy could be systematically integrated into curricula.