Predictors of High eHealth Literacy in Primary Lun

Authors: Robin A Milne Martine T E Puts Janet Papadakos Lisa W Le Victoria C Milne Andrew J Hope Pamela Catton Meredith E Giuliani

Publish Date: 2014/10/30

Volume: 30, Issue: 4, Pages: 685-692

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Abstract

Lung cancer survivors are likely to have low health literacy which is an independent risk factor for poorer health outcomes The eHealth literacy in lung cancer survivors has not been reported The purposes of this study were to determine selfperceived eHealth literacy levels in lung cancer survivors and to explore predictors of higher eHealth literacy A crosssectional study was conducted at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto Canada Survivors completed a survey that collected demographic selfperceived eHealth literacy using the eHealth Literacy Scale and quality of life information Tumor and treatment details were extracted from medical records Demographic data was summarized using descriptive statistics and compared against those with high and low eHealth literacy using Fisher’s exact test Eightythree survivors were enrolled over 7 months Median age was 71 years range 44–89 41 survivors 49  were male Fortysix 55  survivors had some college education or higher Most had access to eResources 78  via computer Internet or smartphone Fiftyseven 69  scored 5 or greater 7 = excellent on the overall health scale Twentyeight 337  perceived themselves to have high eHealth literacy There was no statistically significant correlation between eHealth literacy groups and age p = 100 gender p = 082 living situation p = 100 overall health p = 100 overall quality of life QoL p = 100 or histology p = 074 High eHealth literacy correlated with the level of education received p = 0003 and access to eResources p = 0004 The selfperceived eHealth literacy of lung cancer survivors is generally low

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