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. 2023 Sep 1:11:1183838.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1183838. eCollection 2023.

Strengthening adolescents' critical health literacy and scientific literacy to tackle mis- and dis-information. A feasibility study in Switzerland

Maddalena Fiordelli  1 , Nicola Diviani  2   3 , Ramona Farina  4 , Paolo Pellicini  5 , Alberto Ghirimoldi  5 , Sara Rubinelli  2   3
Affiliations

Strengthening adolescents' critical health literacy and scientific literacy to tackle mis- and dis-information. A feasibility study in Switzerland

Maddalena Fiordelli et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a critical health literacy (CHL) and science literacy (SL) training course targeting secondary school students in Switzerland.

Methods: Using a community-based participatory approach, we developed a two-block training program, the first centered on argumentation skills and the second on scientific skills. We combined an ex-cathedra and a flipped-classroom approach, providing students with a deep understanding of CHL and SL concepts and the translational capability of implementing theoretical notions to real case scenarios. The feasibility study was designed as a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experiment. Beyond socio-demographics, questionnaires included measures of CHL, SL, trust in science, and perceived quality of the course.

Results: The curriculum was feasible and well-accepted by the target groups, teachers, and students. Students convincingly specified their perceived personal benefits associated with a positive change in CHL and SL scores after the training course.

Conclusion: Training CHL and SL in secondary school students is feasible and can improve their competencies. Results from present study can inform a large-scale study.

Keywords: argumentation skills; critical health literacy; critical thinking; infodemic; scientific literacy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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