The Bivariate Correlation of Health Literacy and Cell Phone Addiction amongst Iranian Healthcare Students

Abstract

Introduction: Health Literacy (HL) is negatively associated with substance addiction. However, no study has examined the bivariate correlation of HL with cell phone addiction. Aim: To investigate the correlation between HL and cell phone addiction amongst Iranian healthcare students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 287 male students (nursing, health, medicine and dentistry) in two medical universities in the northern and central part of Tehran, Iran, during February to May 2016. Data were collected via the Persian version of Mobile Phone Addiction Scale (PMPAS) and the Test Of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Results: The total score of TOFHLA showed a significant and positive correlation with the total score of PMPAS in nursing students (r=0.063, p=0.040), whereas this relationship was negatively significant for non-nursing students (r=-0.219, p=0.023). The total score of TOFHLA significantly and positively correlated with the psychological improvement subscale of PMPAS in total and also nursing students. The same correlation was found between the total score of TOFHLA and self-control inability subscale in total (r=0.142, p=0.016), and also non-nursing students (r=0.286, p=0.003). However, a significant and negative correlation was observed between the total score of TOFHLA and anxiety and sense of loss subscale in total (r=-0.137, p=0.020) as well as nonnursing students (r=-0.260, p=0.007). Conclusion: HL is significantly correlated with cell phone addiction in some dimensions. Based on findings, it is recommended that authorities should pay attention to HL and cell phone addiction, especially among nursing students.