EHealth literacy was associated with anxiety and depression during the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria

A cross-sectional study

Dados Bibliográficos

ID22072773
AutoresOluwadamilare Akingbade (0000-0003-1049-668X, Chinese University of Hong Kong), Khadijat Adeleye (0000-0001-7560-5504, University of Massachusetts Amherst), Oluwadamilola Agnes Fadodun (University of Lethbridge), Israel Opeyemi Fawole, Fawole Israel Opeyemi (0000-0003-3654-5507, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology), Jiaying Li (0000-0001-8322-7750, University of Hong Kong), Edmond Pui Hang Choi (0000-0001-9062-3540, University of Hong Kong), Mandy Ho (0000-0002-4460-7969, University of Hong Kong), Kris Yuet Wan Lok (0000-0002-3227-0799, University of Hong Kong), Janet Yuen Ha Wong (0000-0002-3000-4577), David Fong (0000-0001-7365-9146, University of Hong Kong), Daniel Yee Tak Fong, Oluwabunmi Ogungbe (0000-0003-1813-0906, Johns Hopkins University, autor correspondente)
Ano2023
Volume11
Páginas1194908-1194908
Data de publicação2023-06-22
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditoraFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.1194908
PMID37427252
OpenAlexW4381616601
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas43

Background: Electronic health (eHealth) literacy may play an important role in individuals' engagement with online mental health-related information. Aim: To examine associations between eHealth literacy and psychological outcomes among Nigerians during the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among Nigerians conducted using the 'COVID-19's impAct on feaR and hEalth (CARE) questionnaire. The exposure: eHealth literacy, was assessed using the eHealth literacy scale, and psychological outcomes were assessed using the PHQ-4 scale, which measured anxiety and depression; and the fear scale to measure fear of COVID-19. We fitted logistic regression models to assess the association of eHealth literacy with anxiety, depression, and fear, adjusting for covariates. We included interaction terms to assess for age, gender, and regional differences. We also assessed participants' endorsement of strategies for future pandemic preparedness. Results: This study involved 590 participants, of which 56% were female, and 38% were 30 years or older. About 83% reported high eHealth literacy, and 55% reported anxiety or depression. High eHealth literacy was associated with a 66% lower likelihood of anxiety (adjusted odds ratio aOR, 0·34; 95% confidence interval, 0·20-0·54) and depression (aOR: 0·34; 95% CI, 0·21-0·56). There were age, gender, and regional differences in the associations between eHealth literacy and psychological outcomes. eHealth-related strategies such as medicine delivery, receiving health information through text messaging, and online courses were highlighted as important for future pandemic preparedness. Conclusion: Considering that mental health and psychological care services are severely lacking in Nigeria, digital health information sources present an opportunity to improve access and delivery of mental health services. The different associations of e-health literacy with psychological well-being between age, gender, and geographic region highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions for vulnerable populations. Policymakers must prioritize digitally backed interventions, such as medicine delivery and health information dissemination through text messaging, to address these disparities and promote equitable mental well-being

Anxiety · Cross-sectional study · Disease · eHealth · Health care · Health literacy · Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale · Mental health · Mental health literacy · Mental illness · Pandemic · Preparedness · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Gerontology