Assessment of Public Health Literacy and Preparedness for Emerging Infectious Diseases Among Young Adults in Pakistan: A Survey-Based Study

Abstract

Background: Public health literacy is essential for improving preparedness against emerging infectious diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. Despite increasing public awareness following recent disease outbreaks, limited evidence exists regarding the relationship between public health literacy, knowledge, risk perception, health information-seeking behavior, and preparedness among the Pakistani population. This study aimed to assess public health literacy and examine its association with preparedness for emerging infectious diseases among young adults in Pakistan. Methodology: A quantitative analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 young adults residing across the provinces and administrative regions of Pakistan using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire measuring self-perceived public health literacy, knowledge of emerging infectious diseases, risk perception, preparedness, and health information-seeking behavior. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank-order correlation, Chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants demonstrated moderate levels of public health literacy, preparedness, risk perception, and health information-seeking behavior, whereas knowledge of emerging infectious diseases was comparatively low. Public health literacy showed significant positive correlations with preparedness (ρ = 0.372, p < 0.001), health information-seeking behavior (ρ = 0.281, p < 0.001), and risk perception (ρ = 0.147, p = 0.011). Multiple linear regression identified public health literacy as the strongest positive predictor of preparedness (β = 0.360, p < 0.001), while knowledge showed a significant negative association (β = −0.120, p = 0.036). Risk perception and health information-seeking behavior were not significant predictors. Conclusion: Public health literacy was identified as an important predictor of preparedness for emerging infectious diseases among young adults in Pakistan. Strengthening public health literacy through evidence-based education and effective health communication may improve preparedness, support informed health decision-making, and enhance national readiness for future public health emergencies