A Study on the Level of MERS-related Health Literacy in High School Students

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)-related health literacy in high school students. For this purpose, a survey questionnaire (11 questions) was developed on basic knowledge, prevention of infection and how to deal with symptoms of infection related to MERS. The survey was conducted on 491 high school students in G-province. The average score of high school students who responded to the questionnaire was 6.6 (60 points on a scale of 100 points), which is includeded in the middle level point in health literacy related to MERS. In the area of basic knowledge related to MERS, the high school students had a very high correct answer rate of 83.8%, but the correct answer ratio of knowledge on the prevention of MERS infection was 57.5% and that of the proper behavior to suspected MERS infection was 32.3%. The 35.8% of high school students who responded were distributed at the upper level in health literacy, 35.6% at the middle level, and 28.5% at the lower level. In addition, female students showed more distribution in the upper level of health literacy and less distribution in the lower level than male students. The important preventive actions against the epidemic of new respiratory diseases are practice of proper hand washing, coughing etiquette, and wearing a properly functioning mask. Therefore, this study suggests that there is a need to emphasize practical health education in the class of science (life science) and health subjects.