Internet Use, eHealth Literacy, and Dietary Supplement Use Among Young Adults in Pakistan: Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Digital Health

Background:

• The internet provides vast health information, making electronic health (eHealth) literacy essential for informed decision-making.
• Young adults in developing countries increasingly use the internet for health information, yet their eHealth literacy is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess internet use patterns and eHealth literacy among non-health university students in Pakistan.
• To examine the relationship between eHealth literacy and physical activity and dietary supplement intake in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, anonymous web-based survey was conducted among 505 engineering university students in Pakistan.
• Data collected included internet use, eHealth literacy (eHEALS), physical activity, and dietary supplement intake.
• Statistical analyses included median and frequency analyses, with chi-square tests for associations.

Main Results:

• The median eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS) score was 29, with no gender variation.
• The most common health information sought related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle (60.4%).
• High eHEALS scores correlated with frequent internet use for finding others with similar health issues, but not with physical activity or supplement use.

Conclusions:

• Pakistani university students in non-health fields report high perceived eHealth literacy.
• Perceived eHealth literacy did not correlate with physical activity or dietary supplement intake.
• Further research is needed to understand the impact of eHealth literacy on public health in developing nations.