The association between perceived level of COVID-19-related eHealth literacy and adherence to preventive practices against COVID-19 infection among adult patients in healthway family clinics in Marikina and Rizal: An analytical cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Background@#The internet contains both accurate and false coronavirus-related information. Is the public equipped with electronic health literacy in navigating online material to make informed health decisions?@*Objective@#This study measured Filipino adults’ perceived level of COVID-19-related eHealth literacy, and how this affects their adherence to preventive practices against COVID-19 infection.@*Methods@#In this analytical cross-sectional study, data were collected from 345 adult respondents who were patients, and their companions, consulting in Healthway Family Clinics in Marikina and Rizal. They answered self-administered electronic questionnaires in English or Filipino. The data collection tool was adapted from the Coronavirus-Related eHealth Literacy Scale (CoV-eHEALS) with permission from the authors. Pearson correlation determined the relationship between mean CoV-eHEALS and mean Protective Behavior Adherence (PBA) score. ANOVA determined the relationship of CoV-eHEALS and PBA with sociodemographic variables. @*Results@#Higher Covid-related eHealth literacy is associated with better adherence to protective behaviors against COVID-19. The overall mean CoV-eHEALS is 23.67 while the overall mean PBA score is 3.81 (r=0.32). Younger age, female sex, and high educational attainment are associated with high CoV-eHEALS. Female sex and high educational attainment are associated with high PBA score@*Conclusion@#eHealth literacy is essential for COVID-19 awareness since it influences the public‘s engagement in preventive behavior. Sociodemographic variables should be considered in health education, targeting individuals of younger age, male sex, and lower education. Evaluation of the reliability of online sources Filipinos use to gather health-related information is a possible focus for future research.