IS “E-HEALTH LITERACY” RELATED TO “CORONAVIRUS-RELATED HEALTH LITERACY”: FACILITATING DISSEMINATION OF HEALTH INFORMATION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE POST-COVID-19 ERA

Abstract

To use electronic health informationresources correctlyand effectively, a set of skills and capabilities called "electronic health literacy" is needed. . This study aims to assess the E-health literacy of patients with COVID-19 in a university-affiliated education hospital and its relationship with coronavirus-related health. Using convenience sampling, 190 patients were selected, filling out the eHEALS (eHealth literacy scale) questionnaire with their consent. The mean level of E-health literacy was 27.74 (out of 40) indicating a medium level of E-health literacy. The participants reported the most difficulty using Internet information for health-related decisions and distinguishing quality and reliable health informationsources from low-qualitysources. There is a significant relationship between the E-health literacy level and the age, education, and income variables, but nothing was observed with the gender variable. E-health literacy was significantly related to coronavirus-related health literacy. In the post-corona era, considering the comprehensive impact of electronic health literacy and disease-related health literacy on the process of control and prevention, it is suggested that health policymakers internationally first get information about the state of health literacy in both dimensions, electronic and disease-related. Also, it is expected of policymakers to find tested solutions to upgrade the level of E-health literacy and coronavirus-related health literacy.