Background: Health literacy (HL) is a powerful predictor of health and a key concept for interventions to improve the health of individuals and populations, particularly in the area of ​​interaction between health care providers and patients. However, in Morocco data on this concept are not available. Our study aims to test and validate a measurement tool adapted to our context and to determine the health literacy level among nursing student’s future health professionals.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 at the Higher Institute of Health Professions and Techniques of Health at Rabat Annex-Kenitra. The study population consisted of 208 undergraduate nursing students. The self-reported data were collected through the European questionnaire in full version (HLS-EU-Q47), after two focus groups to validate its translation into Moroccan dialect. Associations between health literacy and socio-demographic characteristics were demonstrated at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: The questionnaire was shown to have high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha>0.90). The majority of respondents (73%) had a limited LS. The health literacy index was significantly associated with the level of education, the industry, the mother's education level and the occurrence of a chronic illness. The length of the questionnaire and the ambiguity of some items were raised by the respondents.

Conclusion: HLS-EU-Q47 was a comprehensive and satisfactory survey tool health literacy for use in the Moroccan context. Nevertheless, a shorter version should be tested. On the basis of the results obtained, the need for the integration of the concept of health literacy into the training curriculum for students, future health professionals, is prescribed.