数字素养和互联网使用对阿拉伯中东和北非国家卫生行为和决策的影响

IF 10.1 1区社会学 Q1 SOCIAL ISSUES

Technology in Society Pub Date : 2025-04-22 DOI:10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102911

Reema Tayyem , Radwan Qasrawi , Haleama Al Sabbah , Malak Amro , Ghada Issa , Suliman Thwib , Siham Hani Atari , Khlood Bookari , Noor Alawadhi , Sabika Allehdan , Hana Trigui , Elie Sokhn , Yousef Khader , Eman Badran , Iman Kamel , Atiyeh Abdallah , Mohamed Jemaà , Emmanuel Musa , Jude Dzevela Kong

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引用次数: 0

摘要

数字素养对于卫生行为和决策至关重要，特别是在阿拉伯中东和北非国家，这些国家获得数字资源的机会差别很大。本研究调查了数字素养和互联网使用对十个阿拉伯国家健康行为的影响，重点关注人口和国家具体差异。方法采用方便抽样与SMOTE-ENN技术相结合的方法，对来自巴林、巴勒斯坦、黎巴嫩、约旦、科威特、阿联酋、沙特阿拉伯、埃及、摩洛哥和突尼斯的12522名受访者进行横断面调查，以确保代表性的平衡。这份在线问卷以阿拉伯语和英语提供，评估了互联网接入、数字素养和健康行为。研究结果显示，数字素养对健康结果的影响存在显著差异。总体而言，40%的人报告了数字素养对健康行为的积极影响，其中男性和年龄较大的群体表现出更高的积极看法。观察到显著的国家差异：埃及报告了最高的积极影响（65.1%），而科威特报告了最高的负面影响（25.3%）。城市居民和受教育程度较高的人受到的积极影响更大。可靠的互联网接入、社交媒体和健康应用程序对健康结果产生了积极影响，尤其是在埃及和阿联酋。研究结果强调了提高数字卫生素养的重要性，特别是对于边缘化和服务不足的群体和社区。改善互联网接入、培养对数字工具的信心以及促进对卫生信息的批判性评估，对于取得积极的卫生成果至关重要。这项研究为数字扫盲在公共卫生中的作用提供了重要见解，并强调了解决阿拉伯中东和北非地区差异的必要性。

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The impact of digital literacy and internet usage on health behaviors and decision-making in Arab MENA countries

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The impact of digital literacy and internet usage on health behaviors and decision-making in Arab MENA countries

Background

Digital literacy is essential for health behaviors and decision-making, particularly in Arab MENA countries, where access to digital resources varies considerably.

Objective

This study investigates the impact of digital literacy and internet usage on health behaviors across ten Arab countries, focusing on demographic and country-specific differences.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 12,522 respondents from Bahrain, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia was conducted using convenience sampling combined with the SMOTE-ENN technique to ensure balanced representation. The online questionnaire, available in Arabic and English, assessed internet access, digital literacy, and health behaviors.

Results

The findings reveal notable disparities in how digital literacy affects health outcomes. Overall, 40 % reported positive impacts of digital literacy on health behaviors, with males and older age groups showing higher positive perceptions. Notable country differences were observed: Egypt reported the highest positive impact (65.1 %), while Kuwait had the highest negative impact (25.3 %). Urban residents and those with higher education levels experienced more positive effects. Reliable internet access, social media, and health apps positively influenced health outcomes, particularly in Egypt and the UAE.

Conclusion

The findings emphasize the importance of enhancing digital health literacy, particularly for marginalized and underserved groups and communities. Improving internet access, fostering confidence in digital tools, and promoting critical evaluation of health information are crucial for positive health outcomes. This study offers key insights into the role of digital literacy in public health and highlights the need to address disparities in the Arab MENA region.

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来源期刊

Technology in Society Multiple-

CiteScore

17.90

自引率

14.10%

发文量

316

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Technology in Society is a global journal dedicated to fostering discourse at the crossroads of technological change and the social, economic, business, and philosophical transformation of our world. The journal aims to provide scholarly contributions that empower decision-makers to thoughtfully and intentionally navigate the decisions shaping this dynamic landscape. A common thread across these fields is the role of technology in society, influencing economic, political, and cultural dynamics. Scholarly work in Technology in Society delves into the social forces shaping technological decisions and the societal choices regarding technology use. This encompasses scholarly and theoretical approaches (history and philosophy of science and technology, technology forecasting, economic growth, and policy, ethics), applied approaches (business innovation, technology management, legal and engineering), and developmental perspectives (technology transfer, technology assessment, and economic development). Detailed information about the journal's aims and scope on specific topics can be found in Technology in Society Briefings, accessible via our Special Issues and Article Collections.