Effect of e-Health Literacy on the Fear of COVID-19 and Attitudes Towards Protection: A Cross-Sectional Study

Öz

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive effect of the e-Health literacy level of individuals on attitudes towards protection from COVID-19 and the level of fear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Method: The population of this cross-sectional study included individuals who could be reached through social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) and e-mail between July and October 2020, and the sample of the study consisted of 522 literate individuals who had internet access and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the personal identification form, the e-Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Posthoc analysis, Binary Logistic Regression analysis, and Simple Regression Analysis. Results: 53.4% of the participants are women, 89.5% are university graduates, 60.3% are working in a job. The e-health literacy scores of those who follow the current information to prevent COVID-19 infection, wash their hands, use disinfectants, and stay 2 meters away from people compared to others, and those who act in accordance with the recommendations of the experts, were statistically significantly higher than those who behaved in line with the bans. Presence of chronic disease among family members, young age and high level of health literacy are predictive factors of COVID-19 fear. Conclusion: The results of this study have shown that the level of fear of COVID-19 increases as the e-Health literacy level increases. As the e-Health literacy score of individuals increases, the rate of apply the preventive measures against COVID-19 also increases.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVID-19
• eHealth Literacy
• fear
• protective behaviour
• nursing

e-Sağlık Okuryazarlığının COVID-19 Korkusu ve Korunmaya Yönelik Tutumlara Etkisi: Kesitsel Araştırma

Öz

Amaç: Bu araştırma, COVID-19 pandemi döneminde bireylerin e-Sağlık okuryazarlığı düzeyinin COVID-19’dan korunmaya yönelik tutumlara ve korku düzeyine yordayıcı etkisini değerlendirmek amacıyla yapıldı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Kesitsel tipteki bu araştırmanın evrenini Temmuz-Ekim 2020 tarihleri arasında sosyal medya kanalları (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) ve e-posta aracılığı ile ulaşılabilen bireyler; örneklemini belirtilen evren içerisinde okuma-yazma bilen, internet erişimi olan ve araştırmaya katılmayı kabul eden 522 birey oluşturdu. Veriler birey tanıtım formu, e-Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği ve COVID-19 Korku Ölçeği kullanılarak toplandı. Veriler sayı, yüzde, ortalama ve standart sapma ile verildi. İstatistiksel analizde Mann Whitney U testi, Kruskal Wallis testi, Posthoc analizi, Binary lojistik regresyon analizi ve Basit Regresyon analizi uygulandı. Bulgular: Katılımcıların %53,4’ü kadın, %89,5’i üniversite mezunu, %60,3’ü bir işte çalışmaktadır. COVID-19 enfeksiyonunu önlemeye yönelik güncel bilgileri takip edenlerin, ellerini yıkayanların, dezenfektan kullananların, insanlara 2 metre mesafede duranların diğerlerine göre, uzmanların önerisine uygun şekilde davrananların yasaklar doğrultusunda davranış sergileyenlere göre e-sağlık okuryazarlığı puanları istatistiksel düzeyde anlamlı yüksekti (p<0,005). Aile üyeleri arasında kronik hastalık varlığı, genç yaş ve sağlık okuryazarlığının yüksek olması COVID-19 korkusunun yordayıcı faktörleridir. Sonuç: Araştırmada e-Sağlık okuryazarlığı düzeyi arttıkça COVID-19 korku düzeyi artmakta, COVID-19’dan korunmaya yönelik güncel bilgileri takip etme, siperlik kullanma, el dezenfektanı kullanma, el hijyenini sağlama artmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVID-19
• eSağlık okuryazarlığı
• korku
• önleyici davranışlar
• hemşirelik

Kaynakça

1. Singhal. A review of the coronavirus disease-2019. Indian J. Pediatr. 2020;87(4):281-286.
2. Han Y, Yang H. The transmission and diagnosis of 2019 novel coronavirus infection disease (COVID‐19): A Chinese perspective. J Med Virol. 2020;92(6):639-44.
3. Yan Y, Shin WI, Pang YX, Meng Y, Lai J, You C, et al. The first 75 days of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak: recent advances, prevention, and treatment. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2020;17(7):2323.
4. Paakkari L, Okan O. COVID-19: health literacy is an underestimated problem. Lancet Public Health. 2020;5(5):e249-e50.
5. Nguyen HT, Do BN, Pham KM, Kim GB, Dam HT, Nguyen TT, et al. Fear of COVID-19 scale—associations of its scores with health literacy and health-related behaviors among medical students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2020;17(11):4164.
6. Psychiatric Association of Turkey. Mental health and coping with stress during the coronavirus disease pandemic. 2020 [cited 2020 March 13]. Available from: https://psikiyatri.org.tr/2147/koronavirus-hastaligi- salgini-sirasinda-ruh-sagligi-ve-stresle-bas-etme.
7. Horesh D, Brown AD, Policy. Traumatic stress in the age of COVID-19: A call to close critical gaps and adapt to new realities. Psychol Trauma. 2020;12(4):331.
8. Han CJ, Reding K, Cooper BA, Paul SM, Conley YP, Hammer M, et al. Stability of symptom clusters in patients with gastrointestinal cancers receiving chemotherapy. J. Pain Symptom Manag. 2019;58(6):989-1001.

9. Nekliudov NA, Blyuss O, Cheung KY, Petrou L, Genuneit J, Sushentsev N, et al. Excessive media consumption about COVID-19 is associated with increased state anxiety: outcomes of a large online survey in Russia. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(9):e20955.
10. Holman EA, Thompson RR, Garfin DR, Silver RC. The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic: A probability-based, nationally representative study of mental health in the United States. Science advances. 2020;6(42):eabd5390.
11. Sadore AA, Handiso DW, Wontamo TE, Mekango DE, Moges S. The Influence of Social Media use on Practice of Covid-19 Preventive Measures Among Ethiopian Residents: An Online Cross-Sectional Study. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 2021:1-18.
12. Porcel-Gálvez AM, Badanta B, Barrientos-Trigo S, Lima-Serrano M. Personas mayores, dependencia y vulnerabilidad en la pandemia por coronavirus: emergencia de una integración social y sanitaria. Enfermería Clínica. 2021;31:S18-S23.
13. Kahraman Ç, Karagöz Y, Yalman F, Yusuf Ö. The impact on patient satisfaction of health literacy. Int J Economic Social. 2018;14(1):67-88.
14. Wolf MS, Serper M, Opsasnick L, O'Conor RM, Curtis L, Benavente JY, et al. Awareness, attitudes, and actions related to COVID-19 among adults with chronic conditions at the onset of the US outbreak: a cross- sectional survey. Ann Intern Med. 2020;173(2):100-9.
15. Nguyen MH, Pham T, Nguyen KT, Nguyen YH, Tran TV, Do BN, et al. Negative Impact of Fear of COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality of Life Was Modified by Health Literacy, eHealth Literacy, and Digital Healthy Diet Literacy: A Multi-Hospital Survey. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2021;18(9):4929.
16. Dikmen M. Relationship between university students' depression levels and social media addiction in the COVID-19 outbreak: A Structural Equation Model. Bağımlılık Dergisi. 2021;22(1):20-30.
17. Bay E, Alimbekov A, Mete M, Cücük E, Yokuş E. The perception of Turkish world union Gazi Akademik Bakış. 2017;11(21):55-85.
18. Sönmez V, Alcapınar FG. Örneklendirilmiş Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemleri. Ankara: Anı Yayınevi; 2016.130-162.
19. Turkey Ministry of Health. COVID-19 Novel coronavirus disease. Ankara; 2020. Available from: https://covid19bilgi.saglik.gov.tr/tr/ toplumda-salgin-yonetimi.html.
20. Tosun N, Hoşgör H. A Research to determine the relationship between e-health literacy and rational drug use awareness. 2021; 22(2):82-102.
21. Bakioğlu F, Korkmaz O, Ercan H. Fear of COVID-19 and positivity: Mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty, depression, anxiety, and stress. Int J Ment Health Ad. 2020:1-14.
22. Gencer T.Z. Analysis of validtiy and reliability of Norman and Skinner’s e-health scale literacy for cultural adaptation. Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg. 2017;(52):131-45.
23. Cameron KA, Ross EL, Clayman ML, Bergeron AR, Federman AD, Bailey SC, et al. Measuring patients' self-efficacy in understanding and using prescription medication. Patient Educ Couns. 2010;80(3):372-6.
24. Umeukeje EM, Merighi JR, Browne T, Victoroff JN, Umanath K, Lewis JB, et al. Self-Motivation Is Associated With Phosphorus Control in End- Stage Renal Disease. J Ren Nutr, 2015;25(5):433-9.
25. Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health General Directorate of Health Promotion. Turkey Health Literacy and Related Factors Survey. Ankara; 2018. Available from: https:// sggm.saglik.gov.tr/Eklenti/39699/0/soya- rapor-1pdf.
26. Islama MM, Touraya M, Yangb H-C, Polyc TN, Nguyenb P-A, Lia Y-CJ, et al. E-Health literacy and health information seeking behavior among university students in Bangladesh. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2017;254:122-5.
27. KHademian F, Roozrokh Arshadi Montazer M, Aslani A. Web-based health Information Seeking and eHealth Literacy among College students. A Self-report study. Investig Educ Enferm. 2020;38(1):e08.
28. Yang S-C, Luo Y-F, Chiang C-H. The associations among individual factors, eHealth literacy, and health-promoting lifestyles among college students. J Med Internet Res, 2017;19(1):e15.
29. Luo YF, Yang SC, Chen A-S, Chiang C-H. Associations of ehealth literacy with health services utilization among college students: cross- sectional study. J Med Internet Res. 2018;20(10):e283.
30. Sandalcı B, Uyaroğlu OA, Güven GS. The Role, Importance and Recommendations of Chronic Diseases in COVID-19. Flora. 2020;25(5):1-7.
31. Chong YY, Cheng HY, Chan HYL, Chien WT, Wong SYS. COVID-19 pandemic, infodemic and the role of eHealth literacy. Int. J. Nurs. Stud. 2020;108:103644.
32. Khasawneh AI, Humeidan AA, Alsulaiman JW, Bloukh S, Ramadan M, Al-Shatanawi TN, et al. Medical students and COVID-19: Knowledge, attitudes, and precautionary measures. A descriptive study from Jordan. Front Public Health. 2020;8:253.
33. Akan H, Gurol Y, Izbirak G, Ozdatlı S, Yilmaz G, Vitrinel A, et al. Knowledge and attitudes of university students toward pandemic influenza: a cross-sectional study from Turkey. BMC public health. 2010;10(1):1-8.
34. Rai NK, Ashok A, Akondi BR. Consequences of chemical impact of disinfectants: safe preventive measures against COVID-19. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2020;50(6):513-520.
35. Goyal K, Chauhan P, Chhikara K, Gupta P, Singh MP. Fear of COVID 2019: First suicidal case in India! Asian J. Psychiatr. 2020;49:101989.
36. Chang A, Schnall AH, Law R, Bronstein AC, Marraffa JM, Spiller HA, et al. Cleaning and disinfectant chemical exposures and temporal associations with COVID-19—national poison data system, United States, january 1, 2020–march 31, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2020;69(16):496-8.
37. Alvarez-Galvez J, Suarez-Lledo V, Rojas-Garcia A. Determinants of Infodemics During Disease Outbreaks: A Systematic Review. Front Public Health. 2021;9:236.
38. Fitzpatrick KM, Harris C, Drawve G. Fear of COVID-19 and the mental health consequences in America. Psychol Trauma. 2020;12(S1):S17.
39. Do BN, Tran TV, Phan DT, Nguyen HC, Nguyen TT, Nguyen HC, et al. Health Literacy, eHealth Literacy, Adherence to Infection Prevention and Control Procedures, Lifestyle Changes, and Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms Among Health Care Workers During Lockdown: Online Survey. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(11):e22894.
40. Li X, Liu Q. Social media use, eHealth literacy, disease knowledge, and preventive behaviors in the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional study on Chinese netizens. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(10):e19684.