Digital health literacy and infodemic awareness among preschool teachers

Skills, behaviors, and determinants

Bibliographic Data

ID22088582
AuthorsAslihan Çelik Çoban (Department of Family Medicine, Gaziantep University Medical Faculty), Aslıhan Çelik Çoban (Gaziantep University), Yildiz Büyükdereli Atadag (Gaziantep University)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1774132-1774132
Publication date2026-03-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1774132
PMID41869609
OpenAlexW7133887235
LanguageEN
References cited37

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the levels of digital health literacy and infodemic awareness among preschool teachers, to examine the associated skills and behaviors, and to identify the influencing factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October-November 2025 among preschool teachers working in public schools in the province of Gaziantep. Data were collected through a questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, the Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI), and the Infodemic Scale. Results: A total of 325 teachers aged between 19 and 59 participated in the study; 94.5% were female, and 66.2% were married. Daily internet/social media use was mostly 1-3 h (65.5%), and Instagram was the most frequently used platform (87.7%). Health information searching was reported as "sometimes/frequently" by 76.9%, with the main sources being Google (56%) and physicians (54.5%). The presence of chronic illness (self/family member) was 48.9%; in this group, both health information seeking and the use of Google and forums were higher. The mean DHLI score was 2.59 ± 0.38, and the Infodemic Scale score was 62.36 ± 6.35. Infodemic scores were higher among those who used the internet for 0-1 h and those who used television as a source of health information. DHLI predicted infodemic at a low but statistically significant level; in the multiple model, only "Adding Content" was significant. Conclusion: In the study, preschool teachers had a moderate level of digital health literacy, with differences among the subscales. "Adding Content" was stronger, while Protecting Privacy was weaker. Although digital health literacy was associated with infodemic, its effect was limited; in the multiple analysis, only "Adding Content" was significant. Training in verification, privacy, and evidence-based content, in collaboration with family physicians, may contribute to strengthening teachers' infodemic management and public health interventions

Digital health · Digital media · Health communication · Health education · Health literacy · Literacy · Public health · The Internet · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Social Media in Health Education

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