The Mediating Role of E-Health Literacy in the Relationship between Health Perception and Health Service Utilization

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the mediating role of e-Health literacy in the relationship between health perception and healthcare utilization. The research was conducted with 443 individuals residing in a central district of Ankara. Data were collected using a survey method with convenience sampling. The data collection form included demographic questions along with items from the Health Perception Scale, the e-Health Literacy Scale, and the Healthcare Utilization Scale. The construct validity of the scales was assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability of the scales was evaluated based on Cronbach's Alpha (CA) and Composite Reliability (CR) coefficients. Differences in participant characteristics were analyzed using the independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. Relationships between variables were examined through Pearson and Spearman correlation tests. Mediation analyses were conducted using the Process Macro 4.1 software. The scales were found to be compatible with the study data, and reliable according to CA and CR coefficients. Significant positive relationships were identified between the Health Perception Scale, e-Health Literacy Scale, and Healthcare Utilization (p<0.05). It was determined that e-health literacy had a mediating effect on the relationship between health perception and healthcare utilization. The study identified that e-health literacy plays a mediating role in the relationship between health perception and healthcare utilization. This finding is anticipated to be valuable for researchers and other stakeholders. This study determined the levels of health perception, e-health literacy, and healthcare utilization, analyzed them with respect to participant characteristics, evaluated the relationships among these variables, and revealed the mediating role of e-health literacy in the relationship between health perception and healthcare utilization, a topic not previously covered in the literature.

Keywords

• E-Health Literacy
• Health Perception
• Health Behavior
• Healthcare Utilization.

Sağlık Algısı ile Sağlık Hizmeti Kullanımı Arasındaki İlişkide E-Sağlık Okuryazarlığının Aracılık Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışma, sağlık algısı ile sağlık hizmetleri kullanımı arasındaki ilişkide e-Sağlık okuryazarlığının aracılık rolünü belirlemek amacıyla tasarlanmıştır. Araştırma, Ankara’nın merkezi bir ilçesinde ikamet eden 443 bireyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, kolayda örnekleme yöntemiyle, anket tekniği kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Veri toplama formu; demografik soruların yanı sıra Sağlık Algısı Ölçeği, e-Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği ve Sağlık Hizmetleri Kullanımı Ölçeği maddelerini içermektedir. Ölçeklerin yapı geçerliliği Doğrulayıcı Faktör Analizi (DFA) ile değerlendirilmiş; güvenilirlikleri ise Cronbach's Alpha (CA) ve Bileşik Güvenilirlik (CR) katsayıları temel alınarak incelenmiştir. Katılımcı özelliklerine göre farklılıklar bağımsız örneklem t-testi ve tek yönlü ANOVA ile analiz edilmiştir. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiler Pearson ve Spearman korelasyon testleri ile değerlendirilmiştir. Aracılık analizleri Process Macro 4.1 yazılımı kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular, katılımcıların demografik ve sağlık özellikleri açısından çeşitli farklılıklar gösterdiğini; kronik hastalık varlığı, sigara kullanımı ve düzenli ilaç kullanımının sağlık hizmetleri kullanımında anlamlı etkiler yarattığını ortaya koymuştur. Korelasyon analizleri, sağlık algısı, e-sağlık okuryazarlığı ve sağlık hizmetleri kullanımı arasında pozitif ilişkiler olduğunu göstermiştir. Aracılık analizleri sonucunda ise e-sağlık okuryazarlığın, sağlık algısı ile sağlık hizmetleri kullanımı arasındaki ilişkide kısmi aracılık rolü üstlendiği belirlenmiştir. Çalışma sağlık algısı ve e-sağlık okuryazarlığının sağlık hizmetleri kullanımında belirleyici rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Bu doğrultuda, sağlık hizmeti sunumunda ve halk sağlığı politikalarında bireylerin e-sağlık okuryazarlık düzeylerini artırmaya yönelik eğitim ve rehberlik çalışmalarının önemi vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

• E-Sağlık Okuryazarlığı
• Sağlık Algısı
• Sağlık Davranışları
• Sağlık Hizmeti Kullanımı.

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