# Digital health literacy and associated socio-demographic characteristics in the French population Axelle Quiviger

A Quiviger, C Allaire, E Du Roscoât, J Mancini

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A Quiviger, C Allaire, E Du Roscoât, J Mancini. Digital health literacy and associated socio-demographic characteristics in the French population Axelle Quiviger. European Journal of Public Health, 2024, 34 (3), Online ahead of print. 10.1093/eurpub/ckae144.1070. inserm-05029495

HAL Id: inserm-05029495

https://inserm.hal.science/inserm-05029495v1

Submitted on 10 Apr 2025

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**Abstract citation ID:** ckae144.1070

# Digital health literacy and associated socio-demographic characteristics in the French population

Axelle Quiviger

A Quiviger<fnref n="1" />, C Allaire<fnref n="2" />, E du Roscoët<fnref n="2" />, J Mancini<fnref n="3" />

Contact: axelle.quiviger@santepubliquefrance.fr

**Background:** With the development of digital devices in the health field, digital health literacy has become an important issue in promoting and protecting people's health. Digital health literacy was measured in a representative sample of the French adult population in order to assess its level and to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals with the lowest literacy levels. Comparisons with works carried out in other European countries as well as implications for the implementation of digital interventions will be discussed.

**Methods:** Digital health literacy was assessed using the HLS19-DIGI-HI Instrument. This 8-item scale measuring the skills related to dealing with digital health information was introduced in the 2023 Health Barometer survey, conducted by the French national public health agency. The survey included French-speaking individuals living in France, aged 18-85, selected through randomly generated phone numbers. 3007 persons were interviewed using a computer assisted telephone interview. A continuous score and categories were calculated to determine the level of Digital Health Literacy. Their associations with sociodemographic characteristics were studied using univariate and multivariate analysis.

**Results:** 1902 persons declared they used internet to search information or advice on health on internet in the last 12 months and completed the Digital health literacy questionnaire. 61 % of these

<footnote n="1">¹DATA, Santé Publique France, Saint-Maurice, France</footnote>

<footnote n="2">²DPPS, Santé Publique France, Saint-Maurice, France</footnote>

<footnote n="3">³SESSTIM Research Unit, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France</footnote>
individuals have a low level of digital health literacy (29 % “inadequate” and 32% “problematic”). Multiple sociodemographic characteristics were associated with lower levels of literacy in uni- variate and multivariate analysis.

**Conclusions:** These results are useful to better understand and assess the digital health literacy of the population according to their socio-demographic characteristics. They will provide a knowledge base to implement web-based interventions for promoting targeted digital health interventions, according to targeted audiences.

**Key messages:**

* This study in large random sample of the French population showed frequent difficulties to deal with online health information.

* Multiple sociodemographic characteristics were associated with digital health literacy and can help to support implementation of targeted digital health interventions.