title: Adolescent health literacy: the importance of credible sources for online health information.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little research has examined adolescent health literacy and its relationship with online health information sources. The purpose of this study is to explore health literacy among a predominantly Hispanic adolescent population and to investigate whether exposure to a credible source of online health information, MedlinePlus(®), is associated with higher levels of health literacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was administered to a cross-sectional random sample of high school students in South Texas. Self-reported sociodemographic characteristics and data on health-information-seeking behavior and exposure to MedlinePlus(®) were collected. Health literacy was assessed by eHEALS and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS). Linear and binary logistic regressions were completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 261 students who completed the survey, 56% had heard of MedlinePlus(®), 52% had adequate levels of health literacy as measured by NVS, and the mean eHEALS score was 30.6 (possible range 8-40). Health literacy was positively associated with self-efficacy and seeking health information online. Exposure to MedlinePlus(®) was associated with higher eHealth literacy scores (p < .001) and increased the likelihood of having adequate health literacy (odds ratio: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1, 4.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to a credible source of online health information is associated with higher levels of health literacy. The incorporation of a credible online health information resource into school health education curricula is a promising approach for promoting health literacy.
authors.affiliation: South Texas Border Health Disparities Center, The University of Texas-Pan American, 2925 Pine Valley Drive, Harlingen, TX 78550, USA. sghaddar@utpa.edu
authors.forename: Suad F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ghaddar
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Valerio
authors.forename: Carolyn M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology