Health literacy of adolescents in the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review

Alfabetización en salud de adolescentes en la pandemia de COVID-19: revisión integradora

ABSTRACT

Objective:

to analyze the scientific production on health literacy (HL) of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method:

an integrative review, in the MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL and Web of Science databases, between March 2020 and August 2021. Original articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese were included.

Results:

of the 65 studies found in the search, eight were included for analysis, with no publication in Brazil, with five publications in 2021, predominantly in English (n=7) and all classified with level of evidence VI. Of the instruments used, eHealth literacy was the most applied instrument (n=2). Television, family and the internet were identified as the main sources of health information during the pandemic.

Final considerations:

the literature has indicated that HL can interfere with adolescents’ decision making and that a low HL can lead to decisions and physical and mental exposure actions of adolescents.

Descriptors:
Adolescent; Adolescence; Health Literacy; COVID-19; COVID-19 Pandemic.