Understanding digital health literacy in the arab world: a study of arab adults with diabetes, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis residing in Qatar - Report - MDSpire

Understanding digital health literacy in the arab world: a study of arab adults with diabetes, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis residing in Qatar

  • By

  • Hadeel Zaghloul

  • Fares Ahdab

  • Zahir Tag

  • Sanish Varghese

  • Batoul Arabi

  • Minatullah Al-Ani

  • Aya Abdullah

  • Sara Omar

  • Maryam Arabi

  • Lina Ahmed

  • Shadi Mahmoud

  • Shaza Zaghlool

  • Seham Alebbi

  • Samar Al-Emadi

  • Thurayya Arayssi

  • June 17, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Exploring Digital Health Literacy Among Arab Adults in Qatar

Overview

Expand on the implications of the moderate DHL score for chronic disease management.

Background

Incorporate statistics on the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis in Qatar.

Data Highlights

CharacteristicValue
Participants405
Mean Age53.8 (SD 12.6)
Male Percentage69.6%
Mean DHL Score24.9 ± 7.6
High DHL Percentage53.1%

Key Findings

  • 53.1% of participants had high digital health literacy (DHL).
  • Participants aged ≥60 years had significantly lower odds of high DHL compared to those <45 years (aOR: 0.18).
  • Higher education levels were associated with increased odds of high DHL (aOR: 3.97 for advanced degree).
  • Frequent internet use was a strong predictor of high DHL (aOR: 4.21 for several times/day).
  • Using the internet for health information significantly increased the likelihood of high DHL (aOR: 47.71).
  • Higher DHL was linked to greater patient activation across multiple domains.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should prioritize enhancing digital health literacy among patients with chronic conditions through tailored educational interventions. Simplified digital tools and accessible resources in Arabic can facilitate better self-management and health outcomes.

Conclusion

Suggest specific strategies for targeted interventions to address disparities in DHL.

Related Resources & Content

  1. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2023 -- Educational methods to improve digital health literacy: a systematic review and meta-analysis for the EAPC Opti(MI)se initiative
  2. DIGITAL HEALTH, 2023 -- Latent profile analysis of digital health literacy among community-dwelling older adults and its influencing factors
  3. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), 2023 -- Development of a Digital Health Literacy Assessment Framework for Older Adults: Delphi-Based Study
  4. Diabetes Technology: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026 | Diabetes Care | American Diabetes Association
  5. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2025 update - PubMed
  6. 2025 High Blood Pressure (BP) Guideline - Professional Heart Daily | American Heart Association
  7. Frontiers in Endocrinology — Exploring Gender Disparities in Diabetes Awareness, Glycemic Management, and Cardiovascular Risk in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
  8. Understanding Digital Health Literacy in the Arab World
  9. 7. Diabetes Technology: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026 | Diabetes Care | American Diabetes Association
  10. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2025 update - PubMed
  11. 2025 High Blood Pressure (BP) Guideline - Professional Heart Daily | American Heart Association
  12. Frontiers | Impact of a digital application on HbA1c levels in people with diabetes: a randomized controlled trial
  13. Effects of mobile health interventions on blood pressure control and self-management in middle-aged and older adults with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis | Journal of Human Hypertension
  14. Automated Text Message-Based Program to Improve Uncontrolled Blood Pressure in Primary Care Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed
  15. Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Telemedicine in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Meta-analysis - PubMed
  16. The Shura Council, Qatar Shura Council Reviews National Health Strategy as Members Condemn Drone Attack on Commercial Vessel
  17. Health literacy levels and predictors among type 2 diabetes patients in Qatar: An analytical cross-sectional study - PubMed

Original Source(s)

Understanding digital health literacy in the arab world: a study of arab adults with diabetes, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis residing in Qatar

  • by Hadeel Zaghloul, Fares Ahdab, Zahir Tag, Sanish Varghese, Batoul Arabi, Minatullah Al-Ani, Aya Abdullah, Sara Omar, Maryam Arabi, Lina Ahmed, Shadi Mahmoud, Shaza Zaghlool, Seham Alebbi, Samar Al-Emadi, Thurayya Arayssi

  • June 17, 2026

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