Health literacy and unwanted pregnancy prevention behavior of nursing students

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant public health concern with profound implications for the physical and psychological well-being of adolescents, potentially leading to complications affecting both maternal and fetal outcomes. This descriptive research study aimed to examine health literacy levels, pregnancy prevention behaviors among adolescents, and the relationship between health literacy and pregnancy prevention behaviors. The study population comprised 208 female nursing students from the first through fourth years at a private university. Data collection utilized the health literacy for unwanted pregnancy prevention of Thai female adolescents developed by the Health Education Division, with Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients of .87 and .89, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficients. The findings revealed that overall health literacy levels were at an adequate level ( =102.46, SD=13.21). Specifically, the decision-making for appropriate health practices ( =31.91, SD=2.82) and cognitive skill ( =6.44, SD=1.18) demonstrated excellent levels. Conversely, communication for health expertise enhancement showed inadequate levels ( =17.68, SD=2.81). Adolescent pregnancy prevention behaviors demonstrated excellent levels ( =68.16, SD=3.06). Health literacy in decision-making for appropriate health practices exhibited a significant positive correlation at a very low level (r=.137, p<.05) with adolescent pregnancy prevention behaviors. These findings highlight the necessity for developing communication skills to comprehensively enhance health literacy and promote appropriate pregnancy prevention behaviors among adolescents.