Abstract Body: Background: Older adults are at high risk of stroke and often delay seeking treatment when experiencing stroke symptoms. People with high stroke literacy tend to engage in preventive behaviors and respond appropriately when stroke symptoms occur. Although digital technology is commonly used to promote stroke literacy, research on the association between digital literacy and stroke literacy among older people is limited.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the digital literacy and stroke literacy levels of Thai older adults and examine factors affecting stroke literacy.
Methods: We recruited participants sixty years of age or older who visited three primary care units in Khon Kaen, Thailand, for this cross-sectional study. Participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires, including the Stroke Literacy Scale, the eHealth Literacy Scale, the Brief Health Literacy Screening Tool, and personal information. The stroke literacy score was divided into three levels: low (0–39), moderate (40–53), and high (52–66). A logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between stroke literacy, digital health literacy, and health literacy.
Results: A total of 154 patients (68.18% female) with an average age of 70.16 years (SD 6.90) were included. Almost sixty-five percent obtained stroke information, mostly from healthcare practitioners (53%). Approximately 48 percent and 12 percent of the included senior adults had moderate and high levels of stroke literacy, respectively. Whereas 73 percent lacked basic digital health literacy. There was a significant correlation between moderate to high stroke literacy and digital health literacy (OR 5.0, p <.001), adequate health literacy (OR 3.93, p =.003), marginal health literacy (OR 3.17, p =.017), and high school education or above (OR 3.02, p =.002). In contrast, persons with advanced age (OR 0.90, p <.001), hypertension (OR 0.49, p =.005), and those residing in economically depressed neighborhoods (OR 0.27, p =.009) were more likely to have inadequate stroke literacy.
Conclusion: Given the correlation between digital health literacy and stroke literacy, many older Thai adults may not be able to fully benefit from stroke-related digital materials due to their inadequate digital competence. Healthcare providers should offer a combination of conventional and digital stroke resources based on their literacy and digital abilities, especially for those who are very old and live in disadvantaged areas.