Exploring e-health literacy levels among Turkish women diagnosed with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Access to digital health information has increased for women diagnosed with breast cancer; however, searching, understanding, and interpreting this information requires adequate e-health literacy. This study aimed to determine the e-health literacy levels of women diagnosed with breast cancer and to examine the relationship between e-health literacy and selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. In addition, women’s awareness of e-health and telerehabilitation concepts, as well as their internet use patterns, were evaluated to inform future digital health initiatives. Data were collected through face-to-face and online methods using an Information Form to assess participant characteristics and the E-health Literacy Scale to measure e-health literacy. The study included 336 voluntary Turkish-speaking women aged 18 years and older diagnosed with breast cancer.The median e-health literacy score on the E-health Literacy Scale was 25 (range: 8–40), with a mean score of 24.6 ± 7.62. E-health literacy levels were significantly associated with age, educational level, time since diagnosis, and awareness of e-health and telerehabilitation concepts (p