To systematically review and analyze the relationship between eHealth literacy and online health information-seeking behaviors (OHIS).
Approach:
Literature Review: The review encompasses various studies examining the dimensions of OHIS and the impact of eHealth literacy on these behaviors.
Meta-Analysis: A meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the associations between eHealth literacy and different facets of OHIS.
Key Findings:
Significant generational variations exist in digital nativity and information-seeking preferences.
Younger cohorts exhibit more prevention-oriented behaviors, while older adults report higher perceived empowerment despite lower objective literacy.
Individuals with higher eHealth literacy prioritize professional portals and critically evaluate social media content.
Interpretation:
The theoretical pathways linking eHealth literacy to OHIS are insufficiently defined, with unclear relationships regarding frequency, scope, and selectivity of online searches.
Limitations:
Existing literature often oversimplifies OHIS to unidimensional metrics.
Measurement frameworks exhibit substantial heterogeneity, complicating comparisons across studies.
Moderating roles of age, health status, and source characteristics have not been systematically quantified.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of how eHealth literacy correlates with distinct facets of OHIS.
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