Impact of Social Media Use on the Development of Health Literacy

Background:  Using social media to produce and present the content of the health literacy program can be effective in improving and promoting public health. This study was carried out to determine the impact of social media use on the development of health literacy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the winter of ۲۰۲۲. The statistical population included all visitors to the health care centers of Ahvaz metropolis in the southwest of Iran, in which a total of ۲۵۰ people participated. The standard health literacy questionnaire and the standard social media questionnaire were used to collect data. SPSS۲۵ software was also used for data analysis. Results: The total score for using social media was ۵۵.۱۴ ± ۱۴.۱۴, and for health literacy, it was ۶۴.۱۸ ± ۱۵.۸۰, which was in the average range (upward and close to good). There was a statistically significant relationship between age (P-value < ۰.۰۰۱) and education (P-value = ۰.۰۰۵) and using social media (P-value < ۰.۰۰۱). In addition, the results showed that using social media affected health literacy (P-value=۰.۰۳۴). This study also showed that an increase in the development of health literacy decreased the use of social media (and vice versa). In addition, people who used social media asked fewer questions (regarding their health or illness) of doctors and healthcare workers (P-value < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: The results showed that using social media affected people's health literacy, and people with low health literacy used social media more to promote and improve their health literacy. It is necessary to make the required plans for the optimal use of the potential capacities of these networks for the development of health literacy in society.

کلیدواژه ها:

Social media ، Health literacy ، Health care centers ، Iran