Impact of a digital health literacy intervention and risk predictors for multimorbidity among poor women of reproductive years: Results of a randomized-controlled trial

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to deliver an intervention to improve health awareness for infection prevention, hygiene, and sanitation to assess its impact. Furthermore, it aimed to identify the risk of multimorbidity in women of reproductive years from low socio-economic background. Methods A randomized control trial was conducted in Pakistan among women aged 15–45 years. Overall, 820 women participated in the baseline survey; 388 women were part of the control group and 360 of the intervention group. A digital health literacy intervention was delivered by 91 trained community health workers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Results About 35.9% of women suffered from multimorbidity. The intervention group showed higher odds of confidence in managing health with respect to skill and technique acquisition (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI 1.01–4.84), self-monitoring and insight (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI 1.29–6.80) as well as sanitation and hygiene (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI 1.07–1.93). Two primary outcomes related to hand hygiene and protective behavior against infection did not show any significant improvement. The secondary outcomes of the study related to impact on overall health-related quality of life, social integration and support, and emotional well-being also did not show any significant improvement. Conclusions Digital health literacy interventions and multimorbidity management for women of reproductive years at the primary level are a way forward to alleviate communicable and non-communicable disease burden in developing countries like Pakistan. These efforts are also critical to improve maternal and child health in developing regions.

Effects of Digital Health Literacy Program on Sufficient Health Behavior Among Thai Working-Age People With Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases

“…They also depict that urban area working-age participants had lower HL (vs. living in rural areas) and did not differ in health behaviors. Meanwhile, our results corroborate those described by Jafree et al's ( 2023 ) study among 360 women in Pakistan, wherein a health care worker-led DHL intervention influenced the health awareness of infection prevention behavior. Andersson ( 2018 ) confirmed that the online approach enables patients to access health information, and exchange information with health providers to monitor, and improve people's education and health behaviors, indicating that technology use in educational settings is increasing.…”