Journal of Health Literacy

Journal of Health Literacy

Predictors of Health Literacy among Adolescents Aged 15–18: The Role of Media Literacy and Demographic Factors

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sahar Mohammadnabizadeh 1
AmirHossein Ghorbani 2
Reza Jafari 2
Sara Kharrazi 3
Elham Charoghchian- khorasani 1, 4
1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2 Student Research Committee, School of health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3 Health Center No. 3, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4 Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/jhl.2026.95856.1974
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Health and healthy lifestyles are influenced by a range of factors, including health literacy and media literacy, both of which play important roles in health-related decision-making and behaviors. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of media literacy and demographic factors in health literacy among adolescents aged 15–18 years in Mashhad, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study with 400 subjects of male adolescents aged 15–18 years in Mashhad, Iran. The data collection tools used in this study included demographic questionnaire, health literacy of adolescent’s questionnaire, and media literacy questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 25.0. To examine the associations between demographic characteristics and media literacy with health literacy, a multiple linear regression model was employed.

Results: Approximately 58% of adolescents fell into insufficient levels of health literacy. In contrast, about 60% were in the moderate range for media literacy. Among the demographic variables examined, none showed a statistically significant effect on health literacy, except birth order. Most notably, media literacy emerged as a very strong predictor of health literacy, with a standardized beta coefficient of 0.611 (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Socioeconomic status was not significantly associated with health literacy, whereas birth-order dynamics may play a nuanced role. These findings suggest that integrating media literacy within universal health education may strengthen adolescents’ health information competencies. Given the limited association observed with socioeconomic status, universal media-literacy initiatives may warrant consideration, alongside further examination of family processes. Future research could employ longitudinal designs, multi-method assessments, and evaluate the impact of media-literacy–enhanced health education on health-related outcomes.
Keywords
Health literacy
Media literacy
Adolescents

Acknowledgements: The authors wish to express their gratitude towards the vice president of research in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.


Availability of data and materials: The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.


Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.


Consent for publication: Not applicable.


Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the university ethics board (Number: IR.MUMS.FHMPM.REC.1403.024). In this study, the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki have been followed. A written consent was obtained from all participants after explaining the aim of the study.


Funding: This study was supported by a research grant (No. 4022277) from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. 


Authors' contributions: Sahar Mohammadnabizadeh participated in the writing of the study, and drafted the manuscript. Elham Charoghchian-Khorasani helped to design and supervision of the study. Amir Hossein Ghorbani, Reza Jafari, and Sara Kharrazi collaborated in data collection.

 

Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Journal of Health Literacy

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 July 2026