The effect of health literacy and self-efficacy levels of Syrian refugee university students on quality of life

According to studies, self-efficacy and health literacy impact Syrian refugees’ quality of life. However, it is unclear how these factors influence quality of life for Syrian university students. This study aims to determine health literacy, self-efficacy, and quality of life for Syrian refugee students and investigate how health literacy and self-efficacy affect quality of life.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 330 Syrian undergraduate students studying at Mardin Artuklu University in Turkey between February and May 2022. The Socio-demographic Information Form, Health Literacy Scale (HU-SOY), and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) Scale were used in this study as data collection instruments and all scales were administered in Arabic. The data were analyzed with t-tests, ANOVA tests, correlation, and multiple linear regression.

A significant positive correlation was found between health literacy, self-efficacy, and quality of life (p < 0.05). Self-efficacy (β = .335, t 324 = 6.65, p < .001) and perception of general health status (β = .255, t 324 = 5.075, p < .001) predicted quality of life.

It is concluded that Syrian university students’ quality of life might be improved by increasing their health literacy, self-efficacy, and perception of health.