Unravelling the influence of sociodemographic factors on eHealth literacy and online health seeking behaviour: a rural-urban comparative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243658Keywords:
eHEALS, Rural-urban disparities, Online health-seeking, eHealth literacy, Digital literacyAbstract
Background: The proliferation of digital technology has led to the emergence of eHealth literacy, vital for navigating health information online. India's Digital India program and initiatives like the National Digital Literacy Mission aim to address digital illiteracy and promote access to digital resources. However, socioeconomic disparities persist, contributing to significant digital divide between rural and urban areas. This study was conducted to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors on eHealth literacy and online health seeking behaviour of people.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study surveyed 380 adults over 18, residing in area for at least a year, including both rural and urban residents. Data collected through face-to-face administration of structured questionnaire and eHEALS tool in April 2024. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted using SPSS version 29, with significance level set at 0.05.
Results: The study encompassed 380 participants, equally divided between rural and urban areas. Urban residents showed higher digital literacy (70.53% daily internet usage vs. 46.32% in rural, p<0.001) and eHealth literacy (59.87% vs. 40.13%, p=0.002). Factors influencing eHealth literacy included education levels, comorbidity, occupation, demand for digital health technology, internet usage time, smartphone ownership, and computer usage (p<0.005).
Conclusions: This study revealed significant disparities in digital and eHealth literacy between rural and urban populations. Urban areas exhibit higher digital and eHealth literacy compared to rural regions.
Metrics
References
Norman CD, Skinner HA. eHealth Literacy: essential skills for consumer health in a networked world. J Med Internet Res. 2006;8(2):e9.
Zhang L, Chung S, Shi W, Candelaria D, Gallagher R. Online health information-seeking behaviours and eHealth literacy among first-generation chinese immigrants. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4):3474.
Shiferaw KB, Tilahun BC, Endehabtu BF, Gullslett MK, Mengiste SA. E-health literacy and associated factors among chronic patients in a low-income country: a cross-sectional survey. BMC medical informatics and decision making. 2020;20:1-9.
Lu X, Zhang R. Association between eHealth literacy in online health communities and patient adherence: cross-sectional questionnaire study. J Medi Internet Res. 2021;23(9):e14908.
Reddy P, Chaudhary K, Hussein S. A digital literacy model to narrow the digital literacy skills gap. Heliyon. 2023;9(4):e14878.
Norman CD, Skinner HA. eHEALS: The eHealth Literacy Scale. J Med Internet Res. 2006;8(4):e27.
Jain K. Digitalization & its impact on inhabitants of India through digital India product and services. IJIRA. 2023;3:55-63.
Laskar MH. Examining the emergence of digital society and the digital divide in India: A comparative evaluation between urban and rural areas. Fronti Sociol. 2023;8:1145221.
Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education & Development, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India. Digital literacy. Available at: https://dtnbwed.cbwe.gov.in/images/upload/Digital-Literacy_3ZNK.pdf. Accessed 01 May 2024.
Rasekaba TM, Pereira P, Rani GV, Johnson R, McKechnie R, Blackberry I. Exploring telehealth readiness in a resource limited setting: Digital and Health Literacy among Older People in Rural India (DAHLIA). Geriatrics (Basel). 2022;7(2):28.
Neter E, Brainin E. eHealth literacy: extending the digital divide to the realm of health information. J. Med. Internet Res. 2012;14:e19.
Masilamani V, Sriram A, Rozario AM. eHealth literacy of late adolescents: Credibility and quality of health information through smartphones in India//Alfabetización en e-Salud de los jóvenes: Credibilidad y calidad de la información sanitaria con móviles en la India. Comunicar. 2020;28(64):85-95.
