Media concept and IT-equipment at school as predictors for teaching digital health literacy

Abstract Background In today's digital society, the ability to navigate health information online-known as digital health literacy-is becoming increasingly vital. For young people growing up in media-rich environments, developing these skills is crucial for making informed health choices in a complex digital landscape and expanding information ecosystem. Schools play an essential role in fostering students’ digital health literacy. This study explores the impact of media concepts, IT-equipment and teachers digital media use in schools on teaching digital health literacy. Methods A cross-sectional online survey involved N = 1600 school teachers in Germany. Teaching DHL was assessed using a self-developed scale based on seven digital health literacy dimensions. Having a media concept, frequency of digital media use and IT-equipment in schools were recorded. Their effects on teaching digital health literacy were measured with binary logistic regression. Results The regression model was significant and explained a small proportion of the variance (R2= 0.14). Having a media concept (OR 1.99, p < 0.01) in school, was a predictor of teaching digital health literacy. Regarding IT-equipment, “having enough time to prepare lessons in which digital media are used” (OR 1.33, p<.05) and “having enough computer workplaces at school for teachers” (OR 1.36, p<.05) increased the likelihood of teaching digital health literacy in schools. Conclusions The results show that having a media concept, sufficient IT-equipment and adequate lesson preparation time increases the likelihood of teaching digital health literacy in schools. Targeted investments in school IT-infrastructure and efforts to establish media concepts in schools can help to equip students with necessary skills to navigate health information. Key messages • Having a media concept in school is a key predictor of teaching digital health literacy. • Teachers’ educational conditions for teaching digital health literacy need to be strengthened.