Perceived eHealth literacy and health literacy among people with spinal cord injury: A cross-sectional study

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2023 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2021.1963140 · Published: January 1, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Patient Experience Telehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how well people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) understand and use health information found online (eHealth literacy) and in general (health literacy). It also looks at how these literacy levels relate to factors like age, education, and income. The study found that individuals with SCI have moderate levels of both eHealth and general health literacy. There was a positive correlation between the two, meaning those with higher eHealth literacy also tended to have higher general health literacy. Factors like income and education were positively correlated with general health literacy, while time since injury was negatively correlated. This suggests that more recent health literacy education practices may be more effective.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

50 community-dwelling individuals with SCI

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Participants demonstrated moderate levels of eHealth literacy (31.6 out of 40) and general health literacy (17.6 out of 20).
2
A significant, positive correlation was found between eHealth literacy and general health literacy.
3
Significant, negative correlation was found between general health literacy and time since injury.

Research Summary

This study evaluated eHealth and general health literacy levels among individuals with SCI identified relationships between eHealth literacy, general health literacy, and various sociodemographic factors. Participants demonstrated moderate levels of both eHealth literacy and general health literacy, and modest, positive correlation was found between eHealth literacy and general health literacy. This study demonstrated the diverse range of eHealth literacy levels in SCI populations and how this and other factors may impact an individual’s ability to self-manage and adopt to eHealth technologies.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Clinicians can use the findings to understand which individuals with SCI may have lower health literacy and tailor their communication and interventions accordingly.

Intervention Development

The study informs the development of targeted interventions to improve both general health and eHealth literacy in SCI populations.

Technology Design

Developers of eHealth technologies for SCI patients should consider the diverse range of eHealth literacy levels and design user-friendly technologies.

Study Limitations

1
Data were collected cross-sectionally, and as a result, all findings could only demonstrate correlation rather than causation.
2
Participants were recruited via convenience sampling and completed surveys online, this may have resulted in the over sampling of technology savvy individuals.
3
The exclusion of individuals with traumatic brain injury may have impacted the study’s generalizability of eHealth literacy and general health literacy for a broader SCI population.

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