Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Dec 4, 2024
Date Accepted: Apr 7, 2025
Boosting Digital Health Engagement in Hong Kong’s Elderly: A Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project
ABSTRACT
Background:
Older adults’ utilization of digital healthcare remains low despite high demand for regular health services. Easily accessible eHealth interventions designed for older adults are needed.
Objective:
To examine the feasibility and effectiveness of an intergenerational, home-based eHealth literacy intervention package on older adults in Hong Kong.
Methods:
101 older adults (63% female) with a median [IQR] age of 80 [77, 85] years received an intergenerational home-based eHealth literacy intervention package, delivered by trained university student interventionists. The intervention (~1.5 hours) included personalized, home-based, face-to-face guidance on using mobile health applications, QR code scanners and instant messaging applications, obtaining health information online, and general recommendations for improving physical and mental wellbeing. Following intervention, a 14-day daily health-coaching message was sent to older adults via WhatsApp. Older adults were assessed on their eHealth literacy, general health and wellbeing, and lifestyle at baseline and at two-week follow-up. Paired samples t-tests were used to assess change.
Results:
71 older adults completed two-week follow-up, showing improvements in eHealth literacy (+2.39 eHEALS) and daily smartphone use (+0.45 hours) (all P> 0.05), while shifts in physical and mental wellbeing were limited. They also reported increased physical exercise (N = 50, 70.4%), more frequent watching online health videos (43, 60.6%), and better hand-washing practices (49, 54.9%). High satisfaction rate (4.32/5) of the intervention package was reported among older adults.
Conclusions:
71 older adults completed two-week follow-up, showing improvements in eHealth literacy (+2.39 eHEALS) and daily smartphone use (+0.45 hours) (all P> 0.05), while shifts in physical and mental wellbeing were limited. They also reported increased physical exercise (N = 50, 70.4%), more frequent watching online health videos (43, 60.6%), and better hand-washing practices (49, 54.9%). High satisfaction rate (4.32/5) of the intervention package was reported among older adults. Clinical Trial: NA
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