Comparison Study of e-Health Literacy and Health Promoting Behaviors of Cancer Patients and Nurses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the e-health literacy and health promoting behaviors of cancer patients and nurses. Methods: The participants were 76 cancer patients who were admitted to a general hospital and 87 nurses. Data were collected from October to December of 2018 using a list of structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé’s test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients using SPSS/WIN 23.0. Results: There were significant differences in e-health literacy (t=-3.15, p=.002) and nutrition, one of the sub-areas of health promoting behaviors (t=-3.80, p<.001) between cancer patients and nurses. The health promoting behaviors of cancer patients according to health-related characteristics showed statistically significant differences in health care time (F=6.91, p=.002), health concerns (F=6.30, p=.003), and perceived support (F=6.71, p=.002). Nurses’ health promoting behaviors according to health-related characteristics showed significant differences in health care time (F=16.56, p<.001), health concerns (F=5.99, p=.004), and perceived support (F=5.05, p=.009). Cancer patients and nurses showed a non-significant correlation between e-health literacy and health promoting behaviors. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that nurses should focus on contents that show significant differences in providing education for e-health literacy to cancer patients, and that nurses should enhance health promoting behaviors associated with their own nutrition.