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Gender-Specific Determinants of eHealth Literacy: Results from an Adolescent Internet Behavior Survey in Taiwan

Author

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  • Chia-Shiang Cheng

    (Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan)

  • Yi-Jen Huang

    (School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan)

  • Chien-An Sun

    (Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan
    Big Data Research Center, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan)

  • Chi An

    (School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Lin Kou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Tien Chang

    (School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chi-Ming Chu

    (Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
    School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
    Big Data Research Center, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan
    Division of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan)

  • Chi-Wen Chang

    (School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan
    Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Adolescents’ Internet health information usage has rarely been investigated. Adolescents seek all kinds of information from the Internet, including health information, which affects their Health Literacy that eHealth Literacy (eHL). This study is a retrospective observational study, we have total of 500 questionnaires were distributed, 87% of which were recovered, and we explored the channels that adolescents use to search for health information, their ability to identify false information, and factors affecting the type and content of health information queried. Adolescents believe that the Internet is a good means to seek health information because of its instant accessibility, frequent updating, convenience, and lack of time limits. More boys use the Internet to seek health information than girls in junior high schools ( p = 0.009). The Internet is an important source of health information for adolescents but contains extensive misinformation that adolescents cannot identify. Additionally, adolescent boys and girls are interested in different health issues. Therefore, the government should implement measures to minimize misinformation on the Internet and create a healthy, educational online environment to promote Adolescents’ eHealth Literacy (eHL).

Suggested Citation

  • Chia-Shiang Cheng & Yi-Jen Huang & Chien-An Sun & Chi An & Yu-Tien Chang & Chi-Ming Chu & Chi-Wen Chang, 2022. "Gender-Specific Determinants of eHealth Literacy: Results from an Adolescent Internet Behavior Survey in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:664-:d:719834
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gray, Nicola J. & Klein, Jonathan D. & Noyce, Peter R. & Sesselberg, Tracy S. & Cantrill, Judith A., 2005. "Health information-seeking behaviour in adolescence: the place of the internet," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(7), pages 1467-1478, April.
    2. Diane Levin-Zamir & Isabella Bertschi, 2018. "Media Health Literacy, eHealth Literacy, and the Role of the Social Environment in Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, August.
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