Digital health literacy (DHL) is crucial for middle-aged adults, who often play a key role in health decision-making within families. Despite growing digitalization in Nepal, there is a lack of empirical evidence on DHL in this demographic. This study aimed to assess digital health literacy index (DHLI) scores, access to technology, and the ability to use digital resources for health-related purposes among middle-aged adults in Nepal. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 350 middle-aged adults (aged 40–60 years) in Tokha Municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal. Bivariate and multivariate linear regressions were performed using SPSS version 27. The mean age of the participants was 47.67 years (SD = 7.8), and the average DHLI score was 48.38 ± 15.6 (range: 21–84). Higher DHLI scores were observed among participants who were literate (β = 0.24, p < 0.001), proficient in English (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), and received assistance in using the internet. In contrast, lower DHLI scores were associated with older age (≥ 50 years; β=-0.15, p < 0.001), female (β=-0.13, p = 0.002), and lack of internet access at home (β=-0.19, p < 0.001). Our findings demonstrate low digital health literacy in urban Nepal, shaped by age, gender, access, and digital engagement factors. These findings provide evidence-based insights for formulating equitable public health policies targeting digital health inequities in Nepal’s healthcare landscape. Targeted interventions, such as gender-sensitive digital literacy programs, community-based education, and intergenerational mentorship, are needed to bridge the digital divide and enhance equitable access to digital health resources.
Niroula et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: