Role of factors in eHealth literacy in period of COVID-19: a study of Turkey

Yuce A. E., Albayrak A., Baran B., Kalafat O.

HEALTH EDUCATION, cilt.122, sa.4, ss.469-489, 2022 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 122 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1108/he-07-2021-0105
  • Dergi Adı: HEALTH EDUCATION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, ASSIA, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Psycinfo
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.469-489
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: eHealth literacy, Chronic patients, COVID-19, Digital literacy, Web-based information, Social media, HEALTH INFORMATION, CARE, OUTCOMES, TRUST
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

PurposeThis study aims to understand the eHealth literacy skills of chronic patients and to explore the relations, patterns between eHealth literacy skills and different factors such as demographics, search strategies and health information sources and to explain their effects on eHealth literacy in Turkey in Izmir in COVID-19 outbreak.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative method was used in the study including a questionnaire. A total of 604 chronic patients responded to the questionnaire who applied the five popularly identified hospitals in Izmir in Turkey. CHAID analysis method was implemented to explore the strongest correlation between eHealth literacy and independent variables.FindingsUsing different social media types were correlated with patients' eHealth literacy scores. Using Facebook, Twitter were the supportive predictors for the eHealth literacy scores. However, digital literacy was highly important for eHealth literacy.Originality/valueThis study shows that the social media channels which provides much more information such as Facebook and Twitter for the chronic patient. This could be beneficial for the eHealth tools and social media content developers in terms of the supply of health information. Moreover, the study gives ideas about the effect of digital literacy and the importance of health information provided.