Health literacy among female university students in the United Arab Emirates

While extensive in volume and scope, the body of scholarly literature focusing on health literacy and its impacts is not well developed as it pertains to adult females in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In fact, no published study to date focuses on health literacy among this population. To address this gap, a cross-sectional study was conducted with female university students enrolled at a federal university in the UAE. Data were gathered from 456 undergraduate students using the Newest Vital Sign as a primary measurement instrument. Results indicate that approximately half of the sample did not possess the requisite health-related knowledge or skills to successfully navigate the healthcare system or adhere to complex instructions from care providers. Most notably, the current study’s findings indicate statistically significant differences in levels of health literacy based on respondents’ perceived health status, date of last healthcare consultation, and exercise frequency. Recommendations for health promotion policy and practice are provided as are suggestions for researchers engaging with this topic in the future.