Effectiveness of eHealth literacy interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies
Abstract Background eHealth Literacy (eHL) is a set of competencies and skills encompassing the knowledge, comfort and perceived ability to identify, evaluate and apply electronic health information to health problems. Given its role in the appropriate use of health technologies, ensuring equitable...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21354-x |
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| author | Chiara Barbati Elvira Maranesi Cinzia Giammarchi Matteo Lenge Manila Bonciani Elisa Barbi Giacomo Pietro Vigezzi Mauro Dragoni Tania Bailoni Anna Odone Roberta Bevilacqua |
| author_facet | Chiara Barbati Elvira Maranesi Cinzia Giammarchi Matteo Lenge Manila Bonciani Elisa Barbi Giacomo Pietro Vigezzi Mauro Dragoni Tania Bailoni Anna Odone Roberta Bevilacqua |
| author_sort | Chiara Barbati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background eHealth Literacy (eHL) is a set of competencies and skills encompassing the knowledge, comfort and perceived ability to identify, evaluate and apply electronic health information to health problems. Given its role in the appropriate use of health technologies, ensuring equitable access to health information and improving patient outcomes, this study aims to systematically retrieve, qualitatively and quantitative pool and critically appraise available experimental evidence on the effectiveness of eHL interventions across different population groups. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov, including original experimental studies quantifying the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing eHL, as assessed by the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) or other validated scales. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis comparing changes in eHL levels before and after the interventions, and between the intervention and control groups. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results Out of the 504 studies retrieved, 15 studies conducted between 2011 and 2023 met the inclusion criteria. Target populations of eHL interventions included adults in 7 studies, older people in 5 and young people in 4. The meta-analysis included 10 studies that used the eHEALS. Participants showed a mean increase in eHEALS scores of 5.81 points (95% CI = 3.36–8.26, N = 1025) following the eHL interventions compared to the pre-intervention period. In the analysis between the intervention and control groups, we found a statistically significant difference in eHL improvement in favour of the intervention group, with mean eHEALS scores 3.62 points (95% CI = 1.63–5.60, N = 1258) higher in the intervention group than in the control groups. Subgroup analyses by intervention type, stratified by Collaborative Learning (CL) or Individualistic Learning (IL) showed significant increases in eHealth Literacy in the pre-post intervention analysis (CL: UMD = 5.19, CI = 0.01–10.38, N = 402; IL: UMD = 6.05; CI = 3.14–8.97, N = 623) and in the intervention vs. control analysis in the IL group (DMD = 4.98; CI = 1.77–8.12, N = 540). Conclusions Our findings support the effectiveness of tailored interventions in significantly enhancing eHL, providing key insights for evidence-based intervention design targeted to different population groups. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-68140047884b4629941d30b8dd398674 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-68140047884b4629941d30b8dd3986742025-01-26T12:56:12ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125112810.1186/s12889-025-21354-xEffectiveness of eHealth literacy interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studiesChiara Barbati0Elvira Maranesi1Cinzia Giammarchi2Matteo Lenge3Manila Bonciani4Elisa Barbi5Giacomo Pietro Vigezzi6Mauro Dragoni7Tania Bailoni8Anna Odone9Roberta Bevilacqua10Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of PaviaScientific Direction, IRCSS INRCAScientific Direction, IRCSS INRCAMeyer Children’s Hospital IRCCSMeyer Children’s Hospital IRCCSMeyer Children’s Hospital IRCCSDepartment of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of PaviaIntelligent Digital Agents (IDA) Research Group, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK)Intelligent Digital Agents (IDA) Research Group, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK)Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of PaviaScientific Direction, IRCSS INRCAAbstract Background eHealth Literacy (eHL) is a set of competencies and skills encompassing the knowledge, comfort and perceived ability to identify, evaluate and apply electronic health information to health problems. Given its role in the appropriate use of health technologies, ensuring equitable access to health information and improving patient outcomes, this study aims to systematically retrieve, qualitatively and quantitative pool and critically appraise available experimental evidence on the effectiveness of eHL interventions across different population groups. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov, including original experimental studies quantifying the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing eHL, as assessed by the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) or other validated scales. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis comparing changes in eHL levels before and after the interventions, and between the intervention and control groups. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results Out of the 504 studies retrieved, 15 studies conducted between 2011 and 2023 met the inclusion criteria. Target populations of eHL interventions included adults in 7 studies, older people in 5 and young people in 4. The meta-analysis included 10 studies that used the eHEALS. Participants showed a mean increase in eHEALS scores of 5.81 points (95% CI = 3.36–8.26, N = 1025) following the eHL interventions compared to the pre-intervention period. In the analysis between the intervention and control groups, we found a statistically significant difference in eHL improvement in favour of the intervention group, with mean eHEALS scores 3.62 points (95% CI = 1.63–5.60, N = 1258) higher in the intervention group than in the control groups. Subgroup analyses by intervention type, stratified by Collaborative Learning (CL) or Individualistic Learning (IL) showed significant increases in eHealth Literacy in the pre-post intervention analysis (CL: UMD = 5.19, CI = 0.01–10.38, N = 402; IL: UMD = 6.05; CI = 3.14–8.97, N = 623) and in the intervention vs. control analysis in the IL group (DMD = 4.98; CI = 1.77–8.12, N = 540). Conclusions Our findings support the effectiveness of tailored interventions in significantly enhancing eHL, providing key insights for evidence-based intervention design targeted to different population groups.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21354-xeHealth literacyDigital health literacyeHealth literacy interventionsDigital health |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Barbati Elvira Maranesi Cinzia Giammarchi Matteo Lenge Manila Bonciani Elisa Barbi Giacomo Pietro Vigezzi Mauro Dragoni Tania Bailoni Anna Odone Roberta Bevilacqua Effectiveness of eHealth literacy interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies BMC Public Health eHealth literacy Digital health literacy eHealth literacy interventions Digital health |
| title | Effectiveness of eHealth literacy interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies |
| title_full | Effectiveness of eHealth literacy interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of eHealth literacy interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of eHealth literacy interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies |
| title_short | Effectiveness of eHealth literacy interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies |
| title_sort | effectiveness of ehealth literacy interventions a systematic review and meta analysis of experimental studies |
| topic | eHealth literacy Digital health literacy eHealth literacy interventions Digital health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21354-x |
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