Use of Digital Health Applications in the General Population: The Role of Health Literacy

1. AUTHORS

Avgenaki E,¹ Flokou A,¹ Theodorou P,¹ Kostagiolas P^1,2

¹School of Social Sciences, Postgraduate Course – Health Care Management, Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece

²Department of Information Science, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece

Abstract ID:

Event: Conference 2026

2. ABSTRACT

Purpose: Digital health tools are increasingly integrated into healthcare systems, particularly in the context of population ageing, the rising burden of chronic diseases, and growing pressure on healthcare services. However, the effective use of these tools depends not only on their availability, but also on citizens’ ability to access, understand, and use health-related information and digital services. In Greece, despite progress in the digital transformation of healthcare, barriers remain in the use of digital health applications. This study aimed to investigate the use of digital health applications in the general population and to examine their association with selected dimensions of health literacy, including general health literacy, healthcare system navigation, doctor–patient communication, and vaccination-related health literacy, as well as demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. The questionnaire included demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, self-reported health status, access to healthcare services, and use of digital health applications. It also incorporated the HLS19-Q12-GR for general health literacy, the HLS19-NAV-GR for healthcare system navigation, the HLS19-COM-GR for doctor–patient communication, and the HLS19-VAC-GR for vaccination-related health literacy. Participation was anonymous and voluntary, and informed consent was obtained before completion of the questionnaire. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants’ characteristics and responses, while Spearman’s correlation coefficient was applied to examine associations between health literacy dimensions and the use of digital health applications.

Results: The sample consisted of 120 participants, most of whom were women (78.3%) and aged 36–45 years (48.3%). The sample was highly educated, as 41.7% held a postgraduate or doctoral degree and 40.8% held a university or technological institute degree. More than half were employed in the public sector (57.5%), while 38.3% worked in the health sector. Most participants reported limited financial strain (58.3%), whereas 25.0% reported high financial strain. Regarding health status, 64.2% rated their health as good and 17.5% as very good, while 40.0% reported having a chronic health condition, disease, or disability. Participants reported higher scores in general health literacy and vaccination-related health literacy, whereas healthcare system navigation emerged as the most challenging dimension. Communication-related health literacy showed intermediate values. Significant positive correlations were found between access to diagnostic test results and general health literacy, as well as between use of the Personal Electronic Health Record and general health literacy, healthcare system navigation, and vaccination-related health literacy. The myHealth mobile application was positively associated only with vaccination-related health literacy. No significant correlations were found for immaterial prescribing or electronic medical appointments.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that health literacy dimensions are associated with the use of selected digital health applications. Higher familiarity with health information, healthcare system navigation, and vaccination-related health literacy may facilitate the use of digital tools. Targeted educational interventions are needed to improve access, reduce inequalities, and support effective use of digital health services.

3. Keywords (up to 5): health literacy; digital health literacy; HLS19; digital health applications; Personal Electronic Health Record

4. JEL codes: I10; I18; D83; O33