E-health literacy levels of multiple sclerosis patients in Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: Having high levels of e-health literacy has been shown to positively influence health-promoting behaviors by empowering patients with greater self-efficacy and improving their health management. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Lebanon presents a unique case for studying e-health literacy due to several socio-economic and healthcare-specific challenges faced by this population. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the e-health literacy levels of MS patients in Lebanon and identify the barriers they face when accessing health-related information online. METHODS: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining an online structured survey with qualitative in-depth interviews. The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) was incorporated to quantify participants' e-health literacy levels, selected for its well-established reliability and validity, as well as its availability in both English and Arabic. Additionally, the Lily Model was used to guide various phases of the study, providing a conceptual framework for understanding and interpreting e-health literacy. RESULTS: Among participants, 45 (31.5%) had limited eHEALS scores while 98 (68.5%) had sufficient eHEALS scores, indicating an overall sufficient e-health literacy among MS patients. However, qualitative findings revealed previously unidentified challenges, including limited confidence in assessing the credibility of online content, emotional distress triggered by exaggerated MS information online, and high reliance on general search engines and social media platforms. Participants expressed lack of access to trusted disease-specific information and voiced a need for professional guidance and well-established peer support. CONCLUSION: These findings call for targeted health promotion interventions to enhance this population's e-health literacy levels. It is important to equip MS patients from the point of diagnosis with the necessary skills and self-efficacy to effectively utilize online health resources and enhance their disease management journey. This calls for coordinated efforts from well-established MS patient groups, healthcare providers, academic and private institutions to support and empower this population in navigating the digital health landscape.