Assessing Coastal Residents Health Literacy (HL) and eHealth Literacy (eHL): Implications for Health Governance

Abstract

Purpose:

This study aims to analyse the medical and non-medical respondents’ health literacy (HL) and eHealth literacy (eHL) across coastal Karnataka with a goal of improving health governance.

Methodology:

This research uses pieces of literature published on HL and eHL and sociodemographic factors to roll out a questionnaire survey for respondents from Karnataka, India. The primary study used the independent T-test to distinguish the 260 participants and Spearman’s correlation to determine HL–eHL association.

Findings:

Independent T-tests showed that medical respondents had a significant higher health literacy in only one scale and a higher mean score as well. The sociodemographic tests revealed that non-medical respondents showed differences based on gender, prescription use and chronic illness. Using Spearman’s correlation, HL and eHL were found to have a positive but weak correlation.

Practical Implications:

The participants’ varied eHL scores, coupled with their high HL scores, underscored a significant inconsistency in the economic strategies and the health governance in coastal regions.

Theoretical Implications:

Sustainable development framework followed in this study provides direct implications for multifaceted theories of UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: good health and well-being, Goal 4: quality education, Goal 5: gender equality, Goal 11: sustainable cities and communities and Goal 17: partnerships for the goals.

Research Limitations:

The study only covers Karnataka’s coastal region, which may differ from other regions in India’s coastal belt. However, the interoperability challenges identified through the differing HL and eHL parameters have broader implications.

Originality/Value:

Previous research found fewer sociodemographic differences in coastal HL and eHL proficiency. The relationship between HL and eHL on India’s coasts has rarely been studied.