E-health literacy and quality of life in adolescents with congenital heart disease: A descriptive study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the levels of e-health literacy and quality of life in adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), to examine associated factors, and to explore the relationship between e-health literacy and quality of life. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between June and November 2024 in the pediatric cardiovascular surgery and cardiology outpatient clinics of a hospital in Istanbul, Türkiye. The sample consisted of 93 adolescents with CHD. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, the E-Health Literacy Scale for Adolescents, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (ages 13-18). Data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: The mean e-health literacy score was 29.31 ± 7.51, and the mean quality of life score was 36.72 ± 12.72. Significant differences were found between e-health literacy scores and age and emotional status, and between quality of life scores and sex, health perception, and emotional status (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between total and subscale scores of e-health literacy and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: E-health literacy and quality of life levels differed according to certain sociodemographic characteristics; however, e-health literacy alone was not associated with quality of life in adolescents with CHD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that nursing-led, structured digital health education and psychosocial support interventions may be necessary to improve quality of life beyond increasing access to online health information.