eHealth literacy was associated with anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundElectronic health (eHealth) literacy may play an important role in individuals’ engagement with online mental health-related information.AimTo examine associations between eHealth literacy and psychological outcomes among Nigerians during the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study among Nigerians conducted using the ‘COVID-19’s impAct on feaR and hEalth (CARE) questionnaire. The exposure: eHealth literacy, was assessed using the eHealth literacy scale, and psychological outcomes were assessed using the PHQ-4 scale, which measured anxiety and depression; and the fear scale to measure fear of COVID-19. We fitted logistic regression models to assess the association of eHealth literacy with anxiety, depression, and fear, adjusting for covariates. We included interaction terms to assess for age, gender, and regional differences. We also assessed participants’ endorsement of strategies for future pandemic preparedness.ResultsThis study involved 590 participants, of which 56% were female, and 38% were 30 years or older. About 83% reported high eHealth literacy, and 55% reported anxiety or depression. High eHealth literacy was associated with a 66% lower likelihood of anxiety (adjusted odds ratio aOR, 0·34; 95% confidence interval, 0·20–0·54) and depression (aOR: 0·34; 95% CI, 0·21–0·56). There were age, gender, and regional differences in the associations between eHealth literacy and psychological outcomes. eHealth-related strategies such as medicine delivery, receiving health information through text messaging, and online courses were highlighted as important for future pandemic preparedness.ConclusionConsidering that mental health and psychological care services are severely lacking in Nigeria, digital health information sources present an opportunity to improve access and delivery of mental health services. The different associations of e-health literacy with psychological well-being between age, gender, and geographic region highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions for vulnerable populations. Policymakers must prioritize digitally backed interventions, such as medicine delivery and health information dissemination through text messaging, to address these disparities and promote equitable mental well-being.

Awareness and practice of breast self-examination among female staff at Babcock University, Nigeria

“…Also, the use of smartphone applications led to a fourfold increase in the practice of BSE among the participants in the intervention group of a study that recommended that women use mobile applications to improve their performance and health beliefs regarding BSE [28]. Similarly, as a high level of mobile phone usage has been reported among this population and Nigerians generally during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Nigerian nurses have successfully designed digital interventions using the internet, mHealth interventions can be designed in Nigeria to teach women BSE techniques [29][30][31][32].…”

‘Research is the last thing on our minds, we are in crisis’: Experiences of Lagos state nurses towards research and scholarly endeavours

“…Hence, we recommend a review of these programmes with research content. Also, as the use of digital devices increased in Nigeria during the COVID‐19 pandemic (Akingbade et al, 2022 ; Akingbade et al, 2023 ), and recent research revealed that Nigerian nurses find virtual learning impactful; continuing education programmes can also leverage online platforms to build research competencies of nurses, as is the case at the Institute of Nursing Research Nigeria (Adesuyi et al, 2023 ). However, it will be important to address the challenges that some might encounter with internet connectivity (Ogbeide et al, 2022 ).…”

Knowledge and Practice of Menstrual Hygiene among Female Undergraduates at a Private Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

“…As nurses effectively deliver various educational interventions among females 34 through various means like mHealth interventions, 35 they can reach females in rural and underserved areas; 36 they should design mHealth interventions focusing on menstrual health for females across Nigeria as a high level of mobile phone usage has been reported among females in Nigeria. 37,38 Similarly, nurses could be involved in early education for females in schools regarding menstrual health.…”