COVID-19 crisis: Influence of eHealth literacy on mental health promotion among Saudi nursing students

Objective: This study aims to determine the influence of eHealth literacy on mental health promotion among Saudi nursing students. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 19 April to 21 May 2020. A total of 468 nursing students responded to the self-administered online survey. Two instruments, namely, the eHealth Literacy Scale and the Positive Mental Health Scale, were used. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used for the descriptive analysis. Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyse the relationship between eHealth literacy, health promotion, and its predictors. Results: The results showed that 30.3% of nursing students were dissatisfied with their general health. Students perceived high self-assessed eHealth literacy and positive mental health. Students in the 4th year had lower scores than those of students in the 2nd year. Nursing students perceived that the quarantine and public social distancing lowered their mental health scores. Finally, the eHealth literacy mean scores resulted in a 0.21-point increase in the positive mental health scores. Conclusion: The finding of the study shows that the eHealth literacy positively influnce the mental health status of Saudi Nursing students.

Automated summary

The study found that 30.3% of nursing students were dissatisfied with their general health, while they perceived high self-assessed eHealth literacy and positive mental health. Additionally, fourth-year students had lower mental health scores than second-year students.