Use and attitudes toward digital technologies in health context: A nationwide survey in Germany

Introduction Digital technologies, such as health apps, can contribute to health promotion and disease prevention. This study investigated the use and attitudes toward digital technologies in health context using a nationwide survey.

Methods Adult internet users (n=1020) from 16 federal states in Germany participated in computer-assisted telephone interviews in November 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses.

Results Overall, 61% of participants reported internet use in health context. Among the users, digital technologies were used to obtain general health information by 63% and to support physical activity or to obtain information on cancer by less than 50%. Over 90% of users rated such technologies as easy to use and useful to obtain health information, to support physical activity or to obtain information on cancer. However, confidence in using the internet for health decisions was low. Digital technology use in health context was associated with higher eHealth literacy. Digital technologies were preferred by younger participants to support physical activity and by older participants to obtain information on cancer.

Conclusion Although digital technologies are easy to use, the use of digital technologies for health promotion and disease prevention and confidence in using the internet for health decisions were low among internet users in this study. Factors that promote digital technology use for health promotion and prevention need to be investigated in further studies.

Publication History

Article published online:
22 August 2023