ArticleBMC public health2025
eHealth literacy in the general population: a cross-sectional study in China.
Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed.
- Social Determinants of Digital Health Intervention Use in China: National Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- Article
- Association of the HPV vaccination intention‒behavior gap with ehealth literacy and health beliefs among chinese female college students: cross-sectional study.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Defining health and digital health literacy among caregivers in paediatric rehabilitation: a mixed-methods study.BMJ paediatrics open · 2026Article
- Inflammatory score, intrinsic capacity and the risk of new-onset chronic lung disease: a cohort study from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.Journal of thoracic disease · 2026Article
- Disparity in cancer literacy by socioeconomic status.BMC public health · 2026Article
- The latent profile of health literacy among older adults patients with chronic disease comorbidity and its association with self-management behaviors.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Does getting online help low-income adults eat better? Digital access and BMI-based nutritional imbalance in China.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Article
- Demand Analysis of Mobile Health Applications for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Across Different E-Health Literacy Levels.Patient preference and adherence · 2026Article
- Age-Specific Associations Between eHealth Literacy and Sleep Quality Among Adults: Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Patient acceptance of video consultations in cardiology.European heart journal. Digital health · 2025Article
- Health Self-Management Behaviors as a Bridge Between Electronic Health Literacy and Health-Related Quality of Life: Cross-Sectional Study From China.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Article
- Assessment of eHealth literacy among cardiovascular disease patients and analysis of influencing factors.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
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9 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundeHealth literacy (eHL) is positively associated with health-related behaviors and outcomes. Previous eHL studies primarily collected data from online users and seldom focused on the general population in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Additionally, knowledge about factors that affect eHL is limited. Chronic lung disease (CLD) has brought a large burden in LMIC, making it a relevant example for studying eHL. This study aims to explore eHL and its associated factors within the general population of China, encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, CLD knowledge, digital access, eHealth use and attitudes towards eHealth.
methodData were collected from November 2023 to January 2024 via online and hard-copy questionnaires among the general population in China. Descriptive analyses were performed to explore eHL, CLD knowledge, digital access, and attitudes towards eHealth at different sociodemographic levels. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with eHL.
results439 valid questionnaires were collected. Participants demonstrated a mean eHL of 24.7 ± 8.2 and CLD knowledge of 5.9 ± 3.7, obtained a score of 6.9 ± 1.8 in attitudes towards eHealth. A notable percentage of participants (45/439, 10.3%) reported no digital access, especially those aged 66+, the unemployed, retired, those with a primary school or below degree and earning ≤ 1500 RMB monthly. Multivariable hierarchical regression analysis showed higher eHL was uniquely associated with younger age (b=-0.10, P < .001), higher educational level (b = 2.02, P < .001), higher income (b = 1.10, P < .001), having digital access (b = 6.35, P < .001), more frequent eHealth use (b = 1.14, P < .001), and more positive attitudes towards eHealth (b = 0.47, P = .003).
conclusionOur sample from the general population in China had a relatively low eHL and CLD knowledge level, but held a positive attitudes towards eHealth. A digital divide was noticed between the elderly, low socioeconomic population and other groups. Younger age, higher educational and income level, having digital access, more frequent eHealth use and more positive attitudes towards eHealth were significantly associated with higher eHL. Efforts at both individual and systematic levels should be made to improve eHL, and promote CLD knowledge and digital access, especially in disadvantaged populations. Moreover, there is a pressing need to develop and refine national and international standards for eHL.
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