Effects of mHealth-based interventions on health literacy and related factors: A systematic review

To evaluate the effects of mobile health (mHealth)-based interventions on health literacy and related factors.

Few reviews exist on the effects of mHealth-based interventions on the improvement and changes in health literacy and related factors.

A systematic review was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to evaluate the quality of articles.

Outcome variables included eHealth literacy, mHealth literacy and health literacy. Two studies showed that health literacy was significantly enhanced after mHealth application use, particularly among those with low education and health literacy levels. Two articles reported that health information seeking and health information appraisal improved after mHealth-based interventions, thereby increasing health literacy levels. In one article, no significant relationship was found between health literacy levels and mHealth literacy.

mHealth can enhance health literacy; furthermore, mobile applications effectively improve patient health literacy. However, measurement tools used for evaluating health literacy indicators are inconsistent, with the concept and components of these tools being not specifically designed for evaluating health literacy indicators.

To successfully and effectively overcome health problems in diverse clinical settings, the theory-based mHealth services should be adopted while considering their intensity, frequency, duration and credibility.