Internet use, eHealth literacy and attitudes toward computer/internet among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a cross-sectional study in two distant European regions

Abstract

Background: Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders use the Internet for general and health-related purposes. Their ability to find, understand, and apply the health information they acquire online in order to make appropriate health decisions - known as eHealth literacy - has never been investigated. The European agenda strives to limit health inequalities and enhance mental health literacy. Nevertheless, each European member state varies in levels of Internet use and online health information-seeking. This study aimed to examine computer/Internet use for general and health-related purposes, eHealth literacy, and attitudes toward computer/Internet among adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders from two distant European regions.

Methods: Data were collected from mental health services of psychiatric clinics in Finland (FI) and Greece (GR). A total of 229 patients (FI = 128, GR = 101) participated in the questionnaire survey. The data analysis included evaluation of frequencies and group comparisons with multiple linear and logistic regression models.

Results: The majority of Finnish participants were current Internet users (FI = 111, 87%, vs. GR = 33, 33%, P < .0001), while the majority of Greek participants had never used computers/Internet, mostly due to their perception that they do not need it. In both countries, more than half of Internet users used the Internet for health-related purposes (FI = 61, 55%, vs. GR = 20, 61%). The eHealth literacy of Internet users (previous and current Internet users) was found significantly higher in the Finnish group (FI: Mean = 27.05, SD 5.36; GR: Mean = 23.15, SD = 7.23, P < .0001) upon comparison with their Greek counterparts. For current Internet users, Internet use patterns were significantly different between country groups. When adjusting for gender, age, education and disease duration, country was a significant predictor of frequency of Internet use, eHealth literacy and Interest. The Finnish group of Internet users scored higher in eHealth literacy, while the Greek group of never Internet users had a higher Interest in computer/Internet.

Conclusions: eHealth literacy is either moderate (Finnish group) or low (Greek group). Thus, exposure to ICT and eHealth skills training are needed for this population. Recommendations to improve the eHealth literacy and access to health information among these individuals are provided.

Keywords: Attitudes; Computers; Efficacy; Interest; Internet; Mental illness; Schizophrenia; Technology; Use; eHealth literacy.

Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Ethical Committees of the participating Hospitals in Finland (157/1802/2014) and Greece (5162/20–4-2015), in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. All data collected were coded to preserve participants’ anonymity. Participants received written information about the study and signed the consent form if they wanted to be included in the study. Additionally, participants had the contact information (email and phone number) of the research team in case they needed more clarifications. They were clearly informed (written and orally during the information session) that they could withdraw from the study any time they wanted without any explanation or incidence to their treatment.

Consent for publication

All participants provided written informed consent prior to filling the questionnaire. Participants also provided their consent for publication of the study’s findings.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1

Flow diagram of Finnish and Greek study participants