When Peppa Pig and Confucius meet, joining forces on the battlefield of health literacy–a qualitative analysis of COVID-19 educational materials for children and adolescents from China, the USA, and Europe

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278554
• Publication Date: 2022-12-06T18:59:35Z
• Authors: Maria Świątkiewic...; Anna Prokop-Dorner; Magdalena Ślusarczyk; Natalia Ożegalska...; Aleksandra Piłat-...; Joanna Zając; Malgorzata M. Bala
• Keywords: Battlefield; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Health Literacy; Pandemic; Qualitative analysis

In times of pandemic, health literacy (HL) is very important, as it helps to find, understand, and use essential information services. According WHO, HL pivotal in fighting infodemic effectively, education a vital tool for developing it. the presented work, we analyze 247 educational materials dedicated children, adolescents, their carers explaining prepared by Chinese, American, German, Italian Polish governments international non-governmental organizations. Focusing on textual visual side documents, investigated how pandemic explained what discursive measures were used inform young citizens about risks consequences restrictions. Additionally, verified whether helped critical thinking, which crucial prevent spreading fake news conspiracy theories. Although analyzed different cultural contexts, identified that all them contained simple instructions desired behaviours during pandemic. Key messages relating importance hygienic behaviors often supplemented with guidelines successfully complete each action. While particularities presenting state are visible, challenges dealing emotional social crises dominant around world. our study, argue possibilities building not fully exploited national institutions. Citizens taught behave unusual circumstances but why they should differently. The lacked reliable knowledge would allow deal develop thinking. We conclude expertise worldwide be focused enhancing individuals’ ability make informed decisions provide three recommendations regarding process development resources children youth.