ORTA YAŞLI VE YAŞLI BİREYLERDE E-SAĞLIK OKURYAZARLIĞI VE SOSYO-EKOLOJİK MODELE GÖRE ETKİLEYEN FAKTÖRLERİN BELİRLENMESİ

Abstract

Health literacy affects many areas of life. The unequal level of e-health literacy means that individuals do not have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of e-health. The aim of this study was to compare e-health literacy in middle-aged and elderly individuals and to examine the impact of factors affecting e-health literacy according to the socioecological model. The study included 240 middle-aged and elderly individuals. In this study, individuals were evaluated with the E-Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS), Quality of Life Assessment Scale Short Form-36 (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale, Cognitive Status Questionnaire (CFQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Intercultural Awareness Scale, Short Physical Performance Battery and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale. Gender, body mass index and cultural barrier score were similar in middle-aged and elderly groups (p>0.05). E-health literacy level and sub-parameters, cognitive status, social support status and Short Physical Performance Battery balance, walking, getting up from a chair and total scores were higher in the middle-aged group compared to the elderly group (p<0.05). The total score and sub-parameters of the HAD scale were higher in the elderly group than in the middle-aged group (p<0.05). Age (O. R= 0.881), education level (O. R= 2.012), income level (O. R= 6.25), surgical history (O. R= 2.788) in the middle-aged group; quality of life (O. R= 1.082), presence of comorbidities (O. R= 0.528) and cognitive status (O. R= 1.058) in the elderly group had a significant effect on e-health literacy level (p<0.05). As a result, e-health literacy decreases in older individuals. Age, education, income level, quality of life and cognitive status are factors affecting e-health literacy. By adopting various channels to increase digital skills training for the elderly, their fear of Internet use can be eliminated and their Internet use skills can be improved in their daily lives.