High electronic health literacy is associated with current HIV high-risk behavior among an urban, community-based sample of HIV-positive women

Background:

Among HIV-positive women, we know little about electronic health (eHealth) literacy or its relationship with health behaviors.  We sought to examine the relationship between eHealth literacy and current HIV high-risk behaviors among HIV-positive women.

Methods:

From February to April 2014, we recruited HIV-positive women from community-based organizations in the Bronx, NY.  Participants completed an interview which collected data on Internet use, eHealth literacy and socio-demographic, risk behavior, and clinical characteristics. We assessed eHealth literacy using a validated scale; scores were dichotomized at the median (low/high). Current HIV high-risk behavior was defined as any high-risk sexual or drug use behavior in the last 30 days (yes/no). We performed Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. 

Results:

Among our sample (n=103), median age was 49, 56.7% were non-Hispanic Black, 38.3% Hispanic. Sixty-one percent were Internet users. In bivariate analysis, among Internet users, compared to those with low eHealth literacy, women with high eHealth literacy were less likely to be depressed, to report fair/poor health status and to report being prescribed antiretrovirals, and more likely to report a current HIV high-risk behavior.  In multivariate analysis, compared to those with low eHealth literacy, high ehealth literacy women were more likely to report current HIV high-risk behavior (aOR= 3.90, 95%CI: 1.05-14.56).

Conclusions:

Among HIV-positive women, we found high eHealth literacy was associated with current HIV high-risk behavior. This finding suggests that HIV-positive women who are comfortable using the Internet are appropriate targets for risk reduction interventions and such interventions may be delivered via the Internet.