Investigation of the relationship between infectious disease perceptions and digital health literacy of adult individuals applying to Çukurova University Education Family health center

Objective: It is known that in controlling infectious diseases, the perception of individuals towards infectious diseases is as important as the prevention of transmission, protection with vaccines, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Individuals with advanced digital health literacy (DSHL) can obtain and use information from digital tools to solve their own health problems, and in light of this information, they can better manage their personal health problems. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the perception of infectious diseases and digital health literacy of adult individuals applying to 4 Family Medicine Units (AHB) within the scope of Çukurova University Education Family Health Center (EASM) Materials and Methods: The universe of the study consisted of 2128 adults registered to unit 056, 2272 adults registered to unit 051, 2494 adults registered to unit 047, and 1627 adults registered to unit 062. The sample of the study consisted of adults who applied to Çukurova University EASM for any reason between May 1 and August 1, 2024, when the data of the study would be collected. The study was completed with 324 people, excluding 24 who did not want to participate, 15 who left the survey incomplete, and 17 who said they did not have time. The sociodemographic data form, the "Infectious Diseases Perception Scale" and the "Digital Health Literacy Scale" were applied to the participants. Results: Of the 324 patients who applied to EASM in this study, 192 (59.3%) were women. The participants' primary source of health information was healthcare professionals, followed by the internet. The highest rate of internet use was between 1-3 hours per day (49.1%), but the rate of 4-10 hours per day was also high (35.2%). When the purposes of internet use were examined, social media use had the highest rate with 73.5%. The mean value of the digital health literacy scale (WHSS) score was found to be 51.9±8.5. The mean score of the communicable diseases perception scale (BDSSS) was calculated as 154.3±17.3. The WHSS score was higher in those who stated that they accessed health-related information on the internet (p=0.009) and the BDSSS score was higher in those who stated that they accessed health-related information easily (p=0.023). When the relationship between the WHOS and BHAS scales was examined, a weak positive correlation (r=0.17; p=0.003) was found. Conclusion: Initiatives to increase digital health literacy levels can positively affect individuals' perceptions of the nature of the disease, transmission routes, and protection against infectious diseases. Family physicians can increase digital health literacy levels through patient education and ensure more effective combat against infectious diseases. Keywords: Family medicine, digital health literacy, infectious diseases