Assessment of E-health literacy amongst the Saudi community (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemah Alnofal ◽  
Rawabi Aljadani ◽  
Amani Alqahtani ◽  
Nasser BinDhim
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Sports And Physical Activity ◽  
National Trends

BACKGROUND According to a Health Information National Trends Survey, people tend to go to the Internet rather than a physician as their first source of health information; although a vast amount of health information is available to empower and educate people, very few master the ability to use this information for their own benefit. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the levels and demographic determinants of e-health literacy among Saudi adults and to explore their behavior related to health information obtained through the Internet. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between (November 2017- July 2018) using an electronic questionnaire and including Arabic-speaking Saudi residents aged 18 years and above. The questionnaire included questions about socio-demographic characteristics, Internet and smartphone usage to obtain health information, participants’ behavior toward the obtained information, and eHEALS scores. RESULTS A total of 705 participants agreed to take the survey in different regions of Saudi Arabia; 59.4% (410/705) of them were 29 years old or younger, and 60.71% (428/705) of them were female. Majority of the participants 70.22% (441/705) trusted health information obtained from the Internet. Overall, mean e-health literacy was 28.9 ± 6.34, maximum and minimum scores found were 40 and 8, 44.4% (313/705) were found to have high e-health literacy levels. Older participants were more likely to have low e-health literacy levels (P = 0.001), while participants with higher education levels were more likely to have higher e-health literacy levels (P = 0.001). Over half of participants 52.2% (368/705) of the participants had downloaded a health application on their smartphone; sports and physical activity applications were the most-downloaded health applications 73.37% (270/368). CONCLUSIONS Considerably high e-health literacy levels were found among the Saudi population. We also found high trust levels in the health information obtained from the Internet. Younger adults and participants with higher education levels were more likely to have higher e-health literacy levels.

scholarly journals Is Electronic Health Literacy Associated with Learning Outcomes among Medical Students in the First Clinical Year?: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 923-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krittai Tanasombatkul ◽  
Kanokporn Pinyopornpanish ◽  
Chaisiri Angkurawaranon ◽  
Nida Buawangpong ◽  
Auswin Rojanasumapong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Electronic Health

Medical students tend to use the internet as a primary resource when seeking health information. This study aims to assess the patterns of internet use, eHL level, and learning outcomes with eHL among medical students at Chiang Mai University. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 88 medical students in the first clinical year. The eHL level was determined using the Thai version of the electronic Health Literacy Scale or eHEALS. The patient case report scores were obtained representing the learning outcome. Linear regression was used to identify factors influencing their eHL level and case report scores. Students recognized the importance and usefulness of the internet. The mean eHEALS score was 33.45. There was a lower degree of agreement on questions regarding internet usage, having skills to evaluate the resources, and confidence in using health information to make health decisions. The eHEALS score had no statistically significant association with most variables and case report scores, but with the longer time of internet use (p-value = 0.014). Although medical students perceived that they have high eHL levels, they report lower confidence in using the information. Including critical thinking skills for electronic health information in the medical curriculum could be useful.

scholarly journals Health literacy and e-health literacy among Arabic-speaking migrants in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Bergman ◽  
Ulrica Nilsson ◽  
Karuna Dahlberg ◽  
Maria Jaensson ◽  
Josefin Wångdahl
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Arabic Speakers ◽  
Sum Scores ◽  
Arabic Speaking

Abstract Background Health inequities arise when the public cannot access and understand health information in an easy, accessible, and understandable way. Evidence supports that health literacy (HL) is a determinant for health outcomes, and when HL is limited this may have a major impact on morbidity as well as mortality. Migrants are known to have limited HL. Therefore, this study aimed to explore comprehensive health literacy (CHL) and electronic health literacy (eHL) among Arabic-speaking migrants in Sweden. Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in Sweden. A total of 703 persons were invited to participate between February and September 2019. Two questionnaires – the Health Literacy Survey European Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) and the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) – and questions about self-perceived health and Internet use were distributed in Swedish and Arabic. Various statistical analyses were performed to determine the associations for limited CHL and eHL. Results A total of 681 respondents were included in the analysis. Of these, 334 (49%) were native Arabic-speaking migrants and 347 (51%) were native Swedish-speaking residents. CHL and eHL differed between the groups. The Arabic speakers had significantly lower mean sum scores in eHL 28.1 (SD 6.1) vs 29.3 (6.2), p = 0.012 and lower proportion of sufficient CHL 125 (38.9%) vs 239 (71.3%), p < 0.001 compared to Swedish speakers. Multiple regression analysis showed on associations between limited CHL and eHL and being Arabic speaking, less Internet use, and not finding the Internet to be important or useful. Furthermore, longer time spent in Sweden was associated with higher levels of CHL among the Arabic speakers, (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.98, p < 0.01). Conclusions CHL and eHL differ between Arabic-speaking migrants and native Swedish speakers, but also between Arabic speakers who have lived different lengths of time in Sweden. Though it seems that the eHealth literacy is less affected by language spoken, the Internet is suggested to be an appropriate channel for disseminating health information to Arabic-speaking migrants.

Indonesian Student Nurses’ E-Health Literacy Skills

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dame Elysabeth Tarihoran ◽  
Dian Anggraini ◽  
Enni Juliani ◽  
Ressa Ressa ◽  
Ihlus Fardan
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Nursing Student ◽  
Student Nurses ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ehealth Literacy

Background: Nurses should have a good level of e-health literacy to help patients utilize e-health information. Objective: To measure e-health literacy skills and contribute factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2209 nursing student in Indonesia (October–November 2019) using eHeals. Result: The overall eHealth literacy was 4 (Scale 1–5). There were statistically significant differences between e-Heals score with contribute factors (<0.001). Conclusion: Indonesian nursing students already have basic necessary skills of e-health.

scholarly journals Exploring health literacy in Wuhan, China: a cross-sectional analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Mei ◽  
Qing Zhong ◽  
Gong Chen ◽  
Yuanxia Huang ◽  
Junlin Li
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Chi Square Test

Abstract Background In recent years, research on health literacy has become increasingly focused on the health care system and public health. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate health literacy and analyse the risk factors that affect health literacy in Wuhan, China. Methods Multistage stratified random sampling was used to select 5304 urban and rural residents aged 15 to 69 years from 204 monitoring points in 15 districts of Wuhan. Using the Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) (2018 edition), a face-to-face survey was conducted from November to December 2018. Risk factors that may affect health literacy were assessed using the Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression models. Results The knowledge rate of health literacy was relatively low (19.3%). The knowledge rate of health-related behaviour and lifestyle (BAL, 17.3%) was the lowest of the three aspects of health literacy, and the knowledge rate of chronic diseases (CD, 19.0%) was the lowest of the six dimensions of health literacy. Respondents who lived in urban areas, had higher education levels, worked as medical staff, had a higher household income and did not suffer from chronic diseases were likely to have higher health literacy. Conclusions The health literacy levels of citizens in Wuhan are insufficient and need to improve.

scholarly journals Association Between a Wider Availability of Health Information and Health Care Utilization in Vietnam: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoang Thuy Linh Nguyen ◽  
Keiko Nakamura ◽  
Kaoruko Seino ◽  
Van Thang Vo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Health Care Utilization ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Courses

BACKGROUND The rapid and widespread development of mass media sources including the Internet is occurring worldwide. Users are being confronted with a flood of health information through a wide availability of sources. Studies on how the availability of health information has triggered users’ interest in utilizing health care services remain limited within the Vietnamese population. OBJECTIVE This study examined the associations between the wider availability of sources for health information and health care utilization in Vietnam after adjusting for potential confounding variables. METHODS The data for this study were drawn from a cross-sectional study conducted over a 6-month period in Hue, a city in central Vietnam. The participants were 993 randomly selected adults aged between 18 and 60 years. Information was collected through face-to-face interviews on the types of information sources that were consulted, including traditional media (television), Internet, and health education courses, as well as the impact of such information on health care use (emergency department visits, hospitalizations, doctor visits). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed at a 95% confidence level. RESULTS The prevalence of watching television, using the Internet, and attending health education courses to obtain health information were 50.9% (505/993), 32.9% (327/993), and 8.7% (86/993), respectively. After further adjustments for self-reported health status, the presence of health insurance, and monthly income, respondents who watched television and used the Internet to obtain health information were 1.7 times more likely to visit a doctor (television: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.69, 95% CI 1.30-2.19; Internet: AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.23-2.19), and also significantly associated with inpatient hospitalization (P=.003). CONCLUSIONS The use of widely available mass media sources (eg, television and the Internet) to obtain health information was associated with higher health care utilization. How this interest in health-related information can be used so that it will have a beneficial effect on care-seeking behavior should be a topic of concern to further health promotion in developing countries.

scholarly journals Internet utilization for health information and its associated factors among undergraduate students in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia - A cross sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mintesnot Hawaze Derseh ◽  
Kassahun Dessie Gashu ◽  
Tekeba Meshesha ◽  
Baye Ashenafi ◽  
Abebe Getachew Wolde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Addis Ababa University

Abstract Background: Utilization of Internet is critical to retrieve health information particularly for countries where health care delivery system is incongruent with its population otherwise it could be difficult to address all health problems of the people with limited health professionals. This study sought to determine the magnitude of the Internet use for health information and its associated factors.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the status of Internet utilization to access health information and its associated factors among the undergraduate students in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 845 undergraduate students who were selected by Stratified multi-stage sampling from 19 randomly selected departments of Addis Ababa University. Data were collected from March to April 2019 using a pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were entered in to Epi-Info version 7 and exported to the SPSS version 23 for analysis. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between the study and outcome variables. Result: Almost all 761 (98.8%) of the University students have ever used the Internet for general purposes. Among these the proportion of Internet use, about 59.1% (95% CI: 55.5-62.7) of them used the Internet for health information. Adjusting for all other factors in the final model, Digital health literacy (AOR=1.656, 95% CI: (1.143, 2.397), field of study (AOR= 0.025, 95% CI: (0.007, 0.087), year of study (AOR= 1.609, 95% CI: (1.130, 2.290), and computer device ownership (AOR= 2.314, 95% CI: (1.392, 3.844) were found to be significantly associated with the Internet use for health information.Conclusion: The proportion of Internet use for health information was found to be lower. Digital health literacy, being health science student, year of study and computer ownership were found to be important predictors.

scholarly journals Simple scoring algorithm to identify community-dwelling older adults with limited health literacy: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e045411
Author(s):  
Wen-Hsuan Hou ◽  
Ken N Kuo ◽  
Mu-Jean Chen ◽  
Yao-Mao Chang ◽  
Han-Wei Tsai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Scoring Algorithm ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

ObjectiveHealth literacy (HL) is the degree of individuals’ capacity to access, understand, appraise and apply health information and services required to make appropriate health decisions. This study aimed to establish a predictive algorithm for identifying community-dwelling older adults with a high risk of limited HL.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingFour communities in northern, central and southern Taiwan.ParticipantsA total of 648 older adults were included. Moreover, 85% of the core data set was used to generate the prediction model for the scoring algorithm, and 15% was used to test the fitness of the model.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPearson’s χ2 test and multiple logistic regression were used to identify the significant factors associated with the HL level. An optimal cut-off point for the scoring algorithm was identified on the basis of the maximum sensitivity and specificity.ResultsA total of 350 (54.6%) patients were classified as having limited HL. We identified 24 variables that could significantly differentiate between sufficient and limited HL. Eight factors that could significantly predict limited HL were identified as follows: a socioenvironmental determinant (ie, dominant spoken dialect), a health service use factor (ie, having family doctors), a health cost factor (ie, self-paid vaccination), a heath behaviour factor (ie, searching online health information), two health outcomes (ie, difficulty in performing activities of daily living and requiring assistance while visiting doctors), a participation factor (ie, attending health classes) and an empowerment factor (ie, self-management during illness). The scoring algorithm yielded an area under the curve of 0.71, and an optimal cut-off value of 5 represented moderate sensitivity (62.0%) and satisfactory specificity (76.2%).ConclusionThis simple scoring algorithm can efficiently and effectively identify community-dwelling older adults with a high risk of limited HL.

scholarly journals Is doctor-patient relationship influenced by health online information?

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 692-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Rodrigues Alves da Mota ◽  
Carolina Cavalcanti Gonçalves Ferreira ◽  
Henrique Augusto Alves da Costa Neto ◽  
Ana Rodrigues Falbo ◽  
Suélem de Barros Lorena
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Physician Patient Relationship ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Effects

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES To analyse the opinions and attitudes reported by medical specialists regarding online health information and their interference in the doctor-patient relationship. Methods A cross-sectional study developed between 2016 and 2017 in Recife-Pernambuco-Brazil, which used a questionnaire in person in a population of 183 specialists from the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira. The results were analysed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Obtained approval of the Ethics Committee under the voucher number 121004/2016. Results In the opinion of 85.2% of physicians, online health information has both positive and negative impacts on the physician-patient relationship. Faced with a questioning patient who claims to have researched information on the internet, 98.9% of the physicians said they would try to explain the reasons for their diagnosis and treatment. 59% already had a patient who modified the treatment recommended after seeing health information on the Internet. 73.8% agreed that online health information has positive effects for the general public, but 89.1% feel that most patients do not know which online health information is reliable CONCLUSION The physicians surveyed view online health information in a positive way, but realize that it is necessary to be cautious as to their repercussions on the treatment of patients. There is concern about the accuracy of online health information, and it is incumbent upon the physician and health institutions to instruct patients about the sources of quality and that they are able to understand, as its known the patients have an active voice through the guarantee of the ethical principle of autonomy.

scholarly journals Patients’ Perceptions and Satisfaction Regarding Teleconsultations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mawadah M Magadmi ◽  
Fatemah O Kamel ◽  
Rania M Magadmi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Education ◽  
Remote Communication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Educational Levels ◽  
Education Levels

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the widespread implementation of teleconsultation. Teleconsultation provides remote communication and reduces the risk of virus transmission. However, patients’ perceptions and satisfaction are relevant to ensuring the quality of the service. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate patients’ perceptions and satisfaction regarding teleconsultations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jeddah.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using an electronic questionnaire to assess patients’ perceptions and satisfaction regarding teleconsultations during May 2020. A total of 407 participants were included.Results: Most (38.6%) participants were aged 40 to 59 years, women (73.2%), and had a university education (70.8%). Patients’ perceptions of the effectiveness of teleconsultation ranged from 71.43% to 88.77% and their satisfaction level ranged between 59.40% and 83.96%. Older patients who had favorable outcomes from teleconsultation strongly agreed about the effectiveness of teleconsultation and were more satisfied. Patients with higher education levels who used the service only once were more satisfied with the experience. Moreover, those patients with greater age and educational levels and those who called for emergencies and to request medication refills were more likely to use teleconsultation in the future beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. When asked about reasons for dissatisfaction, 70% of the participants were unhappy with the wait time for a teleconsultation.Conclusions: Most patients were satisfied with the teleconsultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a better understanding of patients’ perceptions and reasons for dissatisfaction are fundamental in the planning and implementation of teleconsultations in Saudi Arabia.

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