Evaluation of eHealth Literacy Level and its Associated Factors in Primary Health Care of Peru

Morales J. · Universal Journal of Public Health (2023) · DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110515

Resumen

Objectives: The aim was to determine the level of eHealth literacy and its associated factors among users of primary health care services. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional descriptive study. The population consisted of users ≥ 18 years of age of the “Mi Perú" Health Center, Lima-Peru. The study variable was eHealth literacy, which was measured with the “eHealth Literacy Scale” (eHEALS). Results: A total of 405 subjects of both sexes participated, with a median age of 31 years (Q1=25, Q3=40; IQR=15). Regarding eHealth literacy level, 26.2% (n=106) obtained elementary level, 24.7% (n=100) low level, 27.9% (n=113) medium level, and 21.2% (n=86) high level. A significant difference was found between the level of eHealth literacy and the age of users (p<0.001), sex (p=0.048), educational level (p<0.001), Internet access through a desktop computer and laptop (p=0.027 and p=0.009, respectively), use of the Internet for health information search purposes (p<0.001) and autonomy in the use of the Internet (p<0.001). Conclusion: In the Peruvian context, only one-fifth of the users of the first level of care reveal a high level of eHealth literacy. Young people, women, higher level of education, access to the Internet through a computer, use of the Internet for health information search purposes and autonomy to use the Internet were the factors associated with a higher level of eHealth literacy. It is recommended that other alternatives based on digital technology be explored to contribute to improving the health status of the population.

Instituciones: Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades