The Effect of Age on Electronic Health Literacy: Mixed-Method Study.

Wan-Chen Hsu

doi:10.2196/11480

Abstract

BackgroundThe world’s internet penetration rate is increasing yearly; approximately 25% of the world’s population are internet users. In Asia, Taiwan has the fifth highest internet usage, and has an internet penetration rate higher than the world average. Electronic health (eHealth) literacy is the ability to read, understand, and utilize Web health information. eHealth literacy is gaining attention worldwide.ObjectiveThis study aimed compare the differences in eHealth literacy between traditional college students (aged between 18 and 22 years) and older adult students (aged between 55 and 72 years). It also summarizes the experiences and performances of these 2 groups in terms of searching online health-related information.MethodsA mixed-method approach was used, including questionnaire surveys and interviews. A total of 208 respondents were interviewed: 65 traditional college students (31.3%) and 143 older adult students (68.7%). The results of the interviews were used to compare the eHealth literacy scores of the 2 groups.ResultsThere were significant differences in the overall eHealth literacy scores (t207=2.98; P=.001) and the functional eHealth literacy dimension (t207=12.17; P<.001). The findings showed a significant gap in eHealth literacy between the 2 groups. Most participants believed that online health information could be largely read and understood. However, they were skeptical about the quality of the information and noted that it consisted of either subjective judgments or objective standards.ConclusionsTraditional college students preferred esthetically pleasing health information, whereas older adult students focused on its promotion. Furthermore, the first group often used websites for solving health problems, whereas the second group forwarded health information through communication software.

Highlights

Increased Internet Usage and the Issue of Electronic Health LiteracyElectronic health literacy is gaining increasing attention worldwide
The findings showed a significant gap in electronic health electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHLS) (eHealth) literacy between the 2 groups
There are nearly 300 active aging learning centers in Taiwan, which are the leading institutions of learning for retired older adults. They are designed to receive students over the age of 55 years [11]. This leads to the question examined in this study: Does eHealth literacy overcome the generation gap? is there a difference between eHealth literacy among traditional college students and older adult students? To answer these questions, this study examined the differences in eHealth literacy among older adult students and among traditional college students to gain an in-depth understanding of the differences that exist across age groups

Summary

Introduction

Increased Internet Usage and the Issue of Electronic Health Literacy. Electronic health (eHealth) literacy is gaining increasing attention worldwide. In 2017, the Taiwan Broadband Internet Usage Survey reported that results from 3153 valid sample analyses showed that individuals were accustomed to having an internet access rate of over 83%. Of these individuals, 84.7% agreed that “the use of the Internet has improved the quality of your life.”. In Asia, Taiwan has the fifth highest internet usage, and has an internet penetration rate higher than the world average. Electronic health (eHealth) literacy is the ability to read, understand, and utilize Web health information. Electronic health (eHealth) literacy is the ability to read, understand, and utilize Web health information. eHealth literacy is gaining attention worldwide

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion