eHealth Literacy in adolescents from Lower and Upper Secondary Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0222e.43582Keywords:
adolescents; internet use; health information seeking; digital health literacyAbstract
Introduction: Increasing access to the internet has broadened opportunities for promoting health literacy among adolescents, underscoring the relevance of digital health literacy (eHealth Literacy), defined as the ability to access, understand, critically appraise, and apply online health information.
Objective: This study aimed to describe the levels of digital health literacy among lower and upper secondary school adolescents from a School Cluster in the district of Viseu, and to examine associations with gender, health information comprehension, and problematic internet use.
Methods: A descriptive-correlational, quantitative, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 291 adolescents. Data were collected using the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) and analyzed with SPSS 27.
Results: The overall mean score on the eHEALS was 3,674, indicating positive perceptions of digital health literacy skills. Male students reported greater confidence in using online information for decision-making (t = 2,001, p = 0,046). The ability to critically evaluate the quality of digital information was positively associated with comprehension of health information. Furthermore, impacts on performance and social relationships were significantly correlated with eHEALS items.
Conclusion: Adolescents demonstrated a high level of digital health literacy, with critical evaluation being highlighted as essential for making more informed decisions and for the conscious use of online information.
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