Abstract
Introduction: Digital technology has profoundly transformed way of life, making the ability to access and understand information through modern technologies increasingly important, especially for older adults. This study aimed to assess electronic-health literacy (e-HL) among Iranian older adults.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2024 and 2025 among 420 adults (≥60 years old) attending comprehensive health service centers affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. Participants were enrolled using multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected using the standardized e-HL Scale, with scores ranging from 8 to 40. Eventually, statistical analyses were performed using independent t-tests and ANOVA in SPSS 16.
Results: The mean e-HL score was 17.88±7.60, which was below the acceptable level. However, higher e-HL was observed among younger older adults aged 60–64 years, those who were married, employed, and had higher educational attainment (P<0.001). In addition, superior economic status, daily Internet use, and higher skills in using digital devices were significantly associated with higher e-HL levels (P<0.001). Although men demonstrated a higher mean score than women, no statistically significant association was found between gender and e-HL (P=0.270).
Conclusion: Overall, the level of e-HL among older adults was below average and unacceptable, representing an unfavorable status for this vulnerable and growing group. This attempt, by providing valuable data, can be a suitable scientific basis for designing targeted interventions to promote e-HL in older adults.