Internet Use, e-Heath Literacy, and Associated Factors in Istanbul, Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

There is a lack of robust information for research assessing the association of various socio-demographic factors and digital technology use in the e-Health context in Turkey among the general population. The aim of the study was thus to examine the sociodemographic determinants of e-Health literacy in the general population in Istanbul, Turkey. The study sample consisted of 806 individuals aged 15 and over who participated in a cross-sectional survey conducted between October 2019 and February 2020. Abstracted data included age, gender, education level, income, occupation type, Internet use, self-perceived health status, regular medication usage, and visits to healthcare professionals. The e-Health Literacy Scale was used to measure e-Health literacy. This study indicated that the e-Health literacy of the general population was at a medium level and most variables reflecting the sociodemographic and economic status of the individuals were significantly associated with e-Health scores.

Keywords:

• eHEALS
• e-Health
• e-Health literacy
• internet

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all participants for their contributions to this study.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the University of Health Sciences Turkey, Hamidiye Noninvasive Investigation Ethics Committee (Approval number: date: 18 October 2019, No 19/121), and was conducted in accordance with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent amendments or comparable ethical standards. An institutional permit was also obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute (date: 27 June 2019, No. 27964695-622.03-E.15336) for the addressed-based population information where the study was conducted.

Informed consent

Written and verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Recep Özdemir

Recep Özdemir, Department of Health Management, Hamidiye Institute of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Saglık Bilimleri Universitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Tıbbiye cd. No:38 Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey.

Guven Bektemur

Guven Bektemur, Department of Public Health, Hamidiye Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Saglık Bilimleri Universitesi, Hamidiye Tıp Fakultesi, Tıbbiye cd. No:38 Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey.

Esra Keles

Esra Keles, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Zeynep Kamil Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Zeynep Kamil Mahallesi, Dr. Burhanettin Ustunel Sokağı No:10, 34668 Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey.

Kursad Nuri Baydili

Kursad Nuri Baydili, Department of Biostatistics, Hamidiye Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Saglık Bilimleri Universitesi Saglık Hizmetleri Meslek Yuksekokulu Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şahane Kulliyesi, Tıbbiye Cad. No:38 Selimiye, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey.