Digital Technology Use for Health and eHealth Literacy in a Very Remote Aboriginal Community in the Northern Territory, Australia: A Community-Based Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Digital technologies can significantly improve access to healthcare, education and social services. However, there is limited evidence on the extent of ownership and use of digital devices in remote Aboriginal communities. This study aimed to examine digital technology use, internet availability and use, intention to use technology for health and eHealth literacy in a very remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia.

Methods: A face-to-face community-based structured survey was implemented by local Aboriginal community-based researchers in a very remote island community of the NT.

Results: Approximately 20% (n = 46) of the community participated in the study. Seventeen respondents did not own a digital device. While 17 reported having no internet access, two-thirds of those who had internet access (n = 29) were using prepaid mobile data. Twenty-three of the participants reported accessing health information online and eight reported having received a text message reminder about a health appointment. Only three individuals did not want to use a digital device for health. The mean score for eHealth literacy was 23.7; range 8-40. Overall, younger respondents (18-44 years) had higher eHealth literacy than those aged 45 and over.

Conclusion: The use of digital technologies was common; however, its application for healthcare was limited, despite community members' interest in using devices to access health information. Limited use, together with low eHealth literacy scores, and gaps in internet connectivity and mobile phone ownership suggest unmet needs for more accessible community digital infrastructure (e.g., community WiFi), and greater personal access to devices.