Health literacy and e-health literacy among Arabic speaking migrants in Sweden

Abstract

Abstract Background Health inequities arise when the public cannot access and understand health information in an easy, accessible, and understandable way, which may be partly due to limited health literacy (HL). Migrants may have limited HL. A subgroup that may have limited HL is migrants. This study explored comprehensive health literacy (CHL) and electronic health literacy (eHL) among Arabic-speaking migrants in Sweden. Methods A cross-sectional observational study conducted in Sweden year 2019. Data was collected among Swedish and Arabic speakers through the Health Literacy Survey European Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16), the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and questions about self-perceived health and Internet use. Arabic speakers CHL and eHL was compared with native Swedish speakers. Various statistical analyses were performed to determine the associations and predictors for limited CHL and eHL. Results A total of 681 respondents were included in the analysis. CHL and eHL differed between the native Arabic-speaking migrants and the native Swedish speakers. The Arabic speaking migrants had significantly lower CHL and eHL mean sum scores. Predictors for limited CHL and eHL were being Arabic speaking, less Internet use, and not finding the Internet to be important or useful. Time spent in Sweden was associated with higher levels of both CHL and eHL. Conclusions CHL and eHL differ between Arabic-speaking migrants and native Swedish speakers, but difference in eHL was smaller than difference in CHL and there was a difference in both CHL and eHL related to time spent in Sweden. Internet can therefore be seen as an appropriate channel for disseminating health information to Arabic-speaking migrants in Sweden. Key messages Internet can be considered an appropriate channel to distribute health information to Arabic-speaking migrants in Sweden. Time spent in Sweden is associated with higher eHL and CHL levels among Arabic-Speaking migrants.