eHealth literacy, internet use and health-related behaviour among health sciences students: a cross sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Health sciences students should have the necessary skills required to find health information from online resources.

Objective: To assess the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) and its association with internet use for health-related purposes, self-perceived health and health-related behaviour.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 528 health sciences students. Sociodemographic data, questions related to internet use for health-related purposes, self-perceived health and health-related behaviour, and the eHEALS tool were collected.

Results: The overall mean eHEALS score was 3.19 ± 0.78. Students who consider access to health resources on the internet to be very important had the highest eHEALS scores (p = 0.015). There were significant differences between the participants' perceptions of the usefulness of the internet with regard to making health decisions (p < 0.001), the accuracy of information on the internet (p = 0.001) and the eHEALS scores.

Conclusions: Health sciences students have a moderate level of eHealth literacy. Positive attitude towards internet use and positive self-perception of health are the most relevant factors associated with eHealth literacy.

Impact statement: As future healthcare providers, students need to develop eHealth literacy skills in order to find reliable health information. A positive attitude towards internet use and a positive self-perception of health are factors associated with eHealth literacy. Educators should promote training programmes that ensure students are acquiring suitable skills in eHealth literacy.