Exploring the relationship between e-health literacy and online health information-seeking behaviour among pharmacy students in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Digital transformation has changed the health service system and how people search for health information. Digital health literacy provides basic knowledge that the prospective pharmacy workforce must have to provide comprehensive pharmacy service. Objective: This study aims to explore pharmacy students' eHealth literacy level and relate to their behaviour in accessing health information online. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 314 pharmacy students at two pharmacy diploma schools in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to identify online health information-seeking behaviour and e-health literacy scores. Results: Out of 314 students, most were women (86.3%) and sophomores (43.3%). More than half have health applications installed on their smartphone and access health information online more than twice a week. There was a significant relationship between e-health literacy scores and student entry year (p = 0.000), the frequency of online health information-seeking practice (p = 0.001), and installed health apps on smartphones (p = 0.002). Conclusion: A future altered curriculum and the appropriate study materials on digital health must be implemented to equip pharmacy students with adequate skills before graduation.