Factors Influencing eHealth Literacy among Spanish Primary Healthcare Users: Cross-Sectional Study

Adequate eHealth literacy levels empower people to make informed decisions, enhancing their autonomy. The current study assessed a group using primary care services for their eHealth literacy and examined its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics.

Adult patients in need of primary care nursing services participated in this cross-sectional study, which was carried out in a healthcare center in the Madrid region of Spain. Through systematic random sampling, 166 participants were chosen for the study. The eHealth Literacy Questionnaire was used to assess eHealth literacy (eHLQ).

The studied population showed higher eHealth literacy scores in dimensions 2 ("understanding of health concepts and language") and 4 ("feel safe and in control"); the lowest scores were recorded for dimensions 1 ("using technology to process health information"), 3 ("ability to actively engage with digital services"), and 7 ("digital services that suit individual needs"). People with completed secondary education and a better-perceived health status who were younger and employed showed a higher level of eHealth literacy.

The findings advance our knowledge of the variables affecting eHealth literacy. We may be able to understand patients' needs and provide them with greater support if we can pinpoint the areas where they demonstrate the lowest eHealth literacy.