Health Literacy Practices among Professional Nursing Students in Makassar City

Abstract

Introduction: Health literacy is a competence that is not only important for patients

but also for nursing students. Nursing students will interact with patients with varying

health literacy levels during their education and throughout their careers. Despite its

importance, research on health literacy among professional nursing students is limited.

This study aims to assess the health literacy practices of professional nursing students in

Makassar City. This study used a quantitative method with a cross-sectional survey

approach. The population in this study consisted of nursing students in the professional

nursing stage. The sampling technique is non-probability sampling with consecutive

sampling. The respondents involved in this study were 72 nursing students. Data

collection was conducted online using a Google Form. The analysis used descriptive

statistics, with the results showing frequency distribution, mean, and SD. The study

found that among the students, 69.4% were aged 17-25 years, with a mean age of 26.22.

The majority were female (75.0%), and from South Sulawesi (80.6%). Related to their

education, 73.6% were in the first semester of clinical placement, and have graduated

from bachelor of nursing within a year (90.3%). In addition, the average scores for the

four aspects of health literacy were: knowledge 14.31 (SD 1.41), communication 34.32

(SD 4.22), shared decision-making 41.11 (SD 5.60), and interpersonal skills 37.49 (SD

4.54). As health literacy is a dynamic skill that needs to be improved through training

and experience, nursing education programs must continue to develop students' health

literacy competencies from the undergraduate level to the clinical placement stage.

Continuous training and periodic assessment of health literacy competencies are

recommended to ensure students can apply their knowledge in practice.