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

Balay-odao, Ejercito Mangawa Alquwez Nahed Alsolami Fatmah Tork Hanan M. M.; Al Otaibi, Khalaf Al Thobaity Abdulellah

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 This study provides information about the influence of eHealth literacy on positive mental health among Saudi nursing students.