Electronic Health Literacy of Nurses: Analysis of Demographic and Occupational Determinants

Background: Electronic health literacy, the ability to seek, evaluate, and apply digital health information has become essential for improving care quality. Nurses, as frontline providers, must possess strong eHealth literacy skills. Previous research suggests nurses’ literacy levels are influenced by access to educational resources, experience, and demographic characteristics.Aim: This study aimed to evaluate eHealth literacy and its demographic and occupational determinants among nurse.Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November ۲۰۲۴ to February ۲۰۲۵. Using stratified random sampling, ۳۳۴ nurses were selected from public hospitals affiliated with medical universities in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected via a demographic and occupational form and Norman and Skinner’s validated eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney tests, and multiple linear regression using SPSS version ۲۴, with significance set at p<۰.۰۵.Results: The mean eHealth literacy score was ۲۶.۰۸ ± ۶.۱ (out of ۴۰), indicating a moderate level. Only ۱۰.۵% of nurses showed high literacy. eHealth literacy was significantly associated with age, education, work experience, marital status, and work shift (p<۰.۰۵). Higher literacy was found among younger nurses, those with higher education, and morning-shift workers, while lower scores were seen among older, married, and rotating-shift nurses.Implications for Practice: The moderate eHealth literacy level was significantly associated with younger age, higher education, morning shifts, and single status, emphasizing the importance of demographic and occupational determinants. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, these associations do not imply causation. Targeted training for older and rotating-shift nurses, combined with strategies to bolster digital infrastructure, is recommended.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cross-sectional study ، Digital Health ، Determinants ، EHealth literacy ، Nurses