E-health literacy and influencing factors of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer patients: a latent profile analysis

Abstract

Background: E-health literacy is critical to driving healthy behaviors in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients. However, the underlying subgroups of e-health literacy in IVF-ET patients and their influencing factors are unclear. Methods: From July 2023 to January 2024, 1200 participants were recruited from a women’s and children’s hospital, using a convenience sampling method. The participants completed the E-health Literacy Scale, the General Self-efficacy Scale and the General Demographic Information Questionnaire. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) with Mplus 8.0 identified potential e-health literacy categories in IVF-ET patients. Group differences were analyzed using chi-square tests or one-way ANOVA in SPSS 25.0. Multiple logistic regression (SPSS 25.0) explored factors associated with e-health literacy. Results: A total of 1074 valid questionnaires were included. Three potential categories were revealed, namely “low e-health literacy group” (N = 455, 42.4%), “medium e-health literacy group” (N = 505, 47.0%), and “high e-health literacy group” (N = 114, 10.6%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that interest in electronic health information search (β = 1.882, P = 0.005, OR = 6.565, 95% CI: 1.741–24.748), attitude toward electronic health information (β = 3.088, P < 0.001, OR = 21.929, 95% CI: 4.599–104.555), lack of access to electronic health information (β = -3.376, P = 0.002, OR = 0.034, 95% CI: 0.004–0.298), and self-efficacy (β = 0.341, P < 0.001, OR = 1.406, 95% CI: 1.332–1.484) were significant predictors of higher e-health literacy in IVF-ET patients. Conclusions: The e-health literacy level among IVF-ET patients requires further enhancement. This can be achieved by fostering patients’ interest and positive attitudes toward seeking e-health information and strengthening their self-efficacy. Such strategies not only elevate e-health literacy but also enhance patients’ capacity to utilize e-health services effectively, ultimately contributing to improved reproductive health outcomes.