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NCT Number: NCT06374576

Improving eHealth Literacy of Older Adults in Hong Kong

This study is an randomized controlled trial (RCT) study to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a community-based health promotion education intervention for improving the eHealth literacy of older adults

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Key information

Conditions

eHealth Literacy

Age range

65 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China

About this study

Background: Potential positive health outcomes were related to improved eHealth literacy. It is crucial to identify the population groups that may have low eHealth literacy. This eHealth literacy trail aims to design health promotion education intervention to improve the eHealth literacy of older adults in Hong Kong.

Study design: This RCT study will be conducted at the local non-governmental organization (NGO) centers in Hong Kong. Participants in the intervention group will receive a health promotion education program for improving eHealth literacy. The education program will be delivered through collaborative learning, including a 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-week digital intervention

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 65 years old or above
  • Chinese speaking
  • Cognitively and mentally fit
  • Understand survey questions
  • Reported lower eHealth literacy scores (eHEALS < 26) in previous study
  • Smartphone user

Exclusion criteria

  • All subjects have the right to withdraw if they wish not to continue

Treatment and study plan

Lecture on eHealth literacy

Behavioral

There will be a lecture on eHealth literacy. The lecture will be delivered by one well-trained lecturer. , the lecture will be held for old adults in small groups, including a structured curriculum consisting of 4 parts: 5 minutes for the introduction, 40 minutes for the lecture and demonstration, and 40 minutes for hands-on session, 5 minutes for wrapping up. The contents covered in the 40-minute lecture were as follows: 1) smartphone internet basics; 2) introduction of the website prepared for this study; 3) evaluation of the credibility of online health information.

Digital intervention on eHealth literacy

Behavioral

1-week digital intervention, which are multiple messages about the lecture topic will be provided

Lecture on general health

Behavioral

A lecture session that focus on the general health but not eHealth literacy will be provided

Digital intervention on general health

Behavioral

1-week digital intervention, which are multiple messages about the lecture topic will be provided

Primary outcomes

  1. eHealth literacy

    Time frame: Baseline, 2-week, 3- and 6-month after intervention

    eHealth literacy score will be assessed with the 8-item eHealth literacy Scale (eHEALS) on a five-point Likert scale. The scale range from 8 to 40, higher scores means a better e-health literacy.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Health Knowledge Learning Intention

    Time frame: Baseline, 2-week, 3- and 6-month after intervention

    To measure the health knowledge learning intention, the three-item questionnaire were adopted and modified from existing studies. This is a five-point Likert scale ranging from 3 to 15, with higher scores means higher health knowledge learning intention.

  2. Online Health Information Seeking

    Time frame: Baseline, 2-week, 3- and 6-month after intervention

    Modified from the measurement adopted and revised from existing study, three-item questionnaire were used to test online health information-seeking behavior. This is a five-point Likert scale ranging from 3 to 15, with higher scores means better online health information seeking.

  3. Online Health Information Scanning

    Time frame: Baseline, 2-week, 3- and 6-month after intervention

    Three-item questionnaire borrowed from existing studies were developed to measure online health information-scanning behavior. This is a five-point Likert scale ranging from 3 to 15, with higher scores means better online health information scanning.

  4. Health-promotion behaviors

    Time frame: Baseline, 2-week, 3- and 6-month after intervention

    To measure health-promotion behaviors, 24 questions were developed adopted from existing studies, which contains six dimensions (Exercise, Nutrition, Self-actualization, Interpersonal Support, Health Responsibility, Stress Management), with a 4-item sub-scale allocated to each dimension. For each sub-scale, this is a four-item Likert scale ranging from 4 to 16, with higher scores means better outcome in this dimension.

  5. Health Decision Change

    Time frame: Baseline, 2-week, 3- and 6-month after intervention

    Health Decision Change. Measurements of health decision change were adapted and modified from existing studies. A total of three items are developed to measure older adults' health decision change based on the health information acquired from their smartphones. This is a five-point Likert scale ranging from 3 to 15, with higher scores means greater health decision change .

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Other

Collaborators

  • NG TENG FONG Charitable Foundation
  • Sino Group

Registry information

Official study title

Improving eHealth Literacy of Older Adults in Hong Kong: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Apr 18, 2024
Registry last updated
May 4, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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