Factors associated with information literacy of nursing undergraduates in China

Information literacy is an important foundation for evidence-based nursing practice. Quantitative studies using validated questionnaires on information literacy of nursing undergraduates in China are rare. The students' baseline information literacy must be evaluated before exploring ways to improve their level of information literacy. This study aimed to investigate the factors potentially involved in the information literacy of nursing undergraduates.

In this cross-sectional study, male and female nursing undergraduates (n = 710) from Inner Mongolia, China were included in the final sample. The Information Literacy Competency Scale of the Applied Undergraduate Student (ILCSAUS) was used for evaluation. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between various factors associated with information literacy.

The students' information literacy score was 105.00 (94.00-119.00). The highest score in the four dimensions was information awareness dimension, and the average score was 4.00 (3.80-4.40). Multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis showed that received training in medical statistics, received training in literature retrieval and utilization, and birth place were independently associated with information literacy scores (p  < 0.05).

Results indicate that learning about medical statistics, literature retrieval and utilization, and paying attention to students born in countries and towns can help improve information literacy in the nursing undergraduates.