Relationship Between Everyday Health Information Literacy and Attitudes Towards Mobile Technology Among Older People

In order to benefit from advanced mobile information technology (AMIT) in e-health services, people need competencies in finding, evaluating, and understanding health-related information in varying everyday life situations, that is, everyday health information literacy (EHIL). This study focused on the relationship between EHIL and AMIT use and attitudes towards it among older adults. A paper questionnaire was posted to a random sample of 1,500 home dwelling subjects aged 65 or more living in Northern Finland. A variety of themes were addressed in the questionnaire including a 4-item version of an EHIL screening tool. The response rate was 61% (n = 918). Older adults with negative attitudes towards or having less experience with mobile information technology were likely to have poor self-estimated EHIL skills. Older people are at risk of marginalization in regard to m-services, and these results should be utilized by decision-makers and software designers in digitalization of services.