Pan Thet Htoo, Aung Myo Nyein, Nam Eun Woo, Koyanagi Yuka, Lee Hocheol, Li Li, Kyaw Myat Yadana, Mulati Nadila, Moolphate Saiyud, Ma Hok Ka Carol, van Dijk Jan A G M, Yuasa Motoyuki
Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2024 Aug 8;14(8):2314-2336. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe14080154.
Many older adults are increasingly embracing digital technology in the Republic of Korea. This study investigated the relationship between the digital skills of Korean older adults and their perceived health status and digital technology application for health promotion. This mixed-method study comprised a community survey of 434 older adults aged ≥65 in two cities in South Korea, followed by focus group interviews. Five types of digital skills, 'operational internet skills', 'information navigation skills', 'social skills', 'creative skills', and 'mobile skills', were measured using the LSE digital skill measurement instrument. Multivariable analysis identified the influence of digital skills on health-related outcomes. Among them, 'social skills' associated positively with self-rated health (β 0.37, 95%CI 0.08, 0.65). 'Information navigation skills' contributed positively to the use of digital technology and the internet for a healthy lifestyle in terms of improving eating habits (β 0.43, 95%CI 0.09, 0.77), accessing healthcare (β 0.53, 95%CI 0.21, 0.85), and accessing long-term care services (β 0.45, 95%CI 0.11, 0.79). Thematic analysis revealed that the study participants use Korean language-based resources such as Naver and Kakao Talk for social connection to promote a healthy lifestyle. This study concludes that encouraging initial and sustained use of the internet and enhancing digital skills among Korean older adults can promote active and healthy aging.
在大韩民国，许多老年人越来越多地接受数字技术。本研究调查了韩国老年人的数字技能与其感知健康状况之间的关系，以及数字技术在促进健康方面的应用。这项混合方法研究包括对韩国两个城市434名65岁及以上老年人的社区调查，随后进行焦点小组访谈。使用伦敦政治经济学院数字技能测量工具测量了“操作互联网技能”“信息导航技能”“社交技能”“创新技能”和“移动技能”这五种数字技能。多变量分析确定了数字技能对健康相关结果的影响。其中，“社交技能”与自评健康呈正相关（β 0.37，95%置信区间0.08，0.65）。“信息导航技能”在改善饮食习惯（β 0.43，95%置信区间0.09，0.77）、获取医疗保健（β 0.53，95%置信区间0.21，0.85）和获取长期护理服务（β 0.45，95%置信区间0.11，0.79）方面，对使用数字技术和互联网促进健康生活方式有积极贡献。主题分析表明，研究参与者使用诸如Naver和Kakao Talk等基于韩语的资源进行社交联系，以促进健康的生活方式。本研究得出结论，鼓励韩国老年人初步并持续使用互联网以及提高他们的数字技能，可以促进积极健康的老龄化。
