Res Community Public Health Nurs.  2025 Mar;36(1):59-72. 10.12799/rcphn.2024.00801.

The Effect of Digital Health Literacy, Self-Efficacy on Self-Care Behaviors among Community-Dwelling Elderly: Focusing on Gyeongsangbuk-do

• Son H
• Han Y

• KMID: 2566309
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2024.00801

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to explore the relationship between digital health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors, and to identify the effects of digital health literacy and self-efficacy on self-care behaviors among the community-dwelling elderly.
Methods
This descriptive study used self-reported questionnaires and was conducted from January to April 2024. This study included 197 participants aged 65 or older, residing in nine cities and counties within Gyeongsangbuk-do. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 23.0, employing descriptive statistics, t-test, One-way ANOVA, Scheffé tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis.
Results
The average scores were as follows: digital health literacy, 21.97±8.38 (out of 40 points); self-efficacy, 3.27±0.72 (out of 5 points); and self-care behaviors, 70.22±10.55 (out of 96 points). Self-efficacy (β=.32, p<.001) was identified as the primary factor influencing self-care behaviors. Additionally, job (β=-.20, p=.002) and gender (β=-.18, p=.007) were also significant factors. These factors explained 22.8% of the variance of self-care behaviors.
Conclusion
Based on the above study results, we found that to promote self-care behaviors of community-dwelling elderly people, developing and implementing training programs that enhance self- efficacy are imperative. Furthermore, efforts should be made to overcome regional disparities by developing and implementing various policies and programs at the government, local government, and community levels to enhance the digital health literacy of the elderly.

Keyword

Self care; Health literacy; Self efficacy; Community health nursing; Aged