Associations between digital literacy, health literacy, and digital health behaviors among rural residents: evidence from Zhejiang, China

作者：Hao Ji, Junqiang Dong, Weiguang Pan, Yingying Yu · 发表于：International Journal for Equity in Health · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1186/s12939-024-02150-2 · 被引用次数：99 · 研究领域：Health Literacy and Information Accessibility、Digital literacy in education、Technology Use by Older Adults

OBJECTIVE: Within the digital society, the limited proficiency in digital health behaviors among rural residents has emerged as a significant factor intensifying health disparities between urban and rural areas. Addressing this issue, enhancing the digital literacy and health literacy of rural residents stands out as a crucial strategy. This study aims to investigate the relationship between digital literacy, health literacy, and the digital health behaviors of rural residents. METHODS: Initially, we developed measurement instruments aimed at assessing the levels of digital literacy and health literacy among rural residents. Subsequently, leveraging micro survey data, we conducted assessments on the digital literacy and health literacy of 968 residents in five administrative villages in Zhejiang Province, China. Building upon this foundation, we employed Probit and Poisson models to empirically scrutinize the influence of digital literacy, health literacy, and their interaction on the manifestation of digital health behaviors within the rural population. This analysis was conducted from a dual perspective, evaluating the participation of digital health behaviors among rural residents and the diversity to which they participate in such behaviors. RESULTS: Digital literacy exhibited a notably positive influence on both the participation and diversity of digital health behaviors among rural residents. While health literacy did not emerge as a predictor for the occurrence of digi...