ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

ASN / Education & Meetings / Kidney Week /

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2019 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2019, please visit the archives.

Abstract: SA-PO867

Technology Use, Interest in Mobile Health Technology, and eHealth Literacy in CKD

Session Information

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

  • 2101 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

  • Schrauben, Sarah J., Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Appel, Lawrence J., Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Lora, Claudia M., University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Lash, James P., University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Chen, Jing, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  • Hamm, L. Lee, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  • Fink, Jeffrey C., University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Go, Alan S., Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, United States
  • Townsend, Raymond R., Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Deo, Rajat, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Dember, Laura M., Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Feldman, Harold I., Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Diamantidis, Clarissa Jonas, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States
Background

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies improve patient-provider communication and increase information accessibility. eHealth literacy is needed to effectively find and appraise health information from electronic sources. Using a mixed methods approach, we assessed technology use, mHealth interest, and eHealth literacy among those with CKD.

Methods

We utilized data from Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study participants who completed a technology survey (N=424) and an eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) (N=633). We report technology use (Internet/email/smartphone), interest in mHealth (Internet/email/ smartphones/mHealth applications [apps]), and level of eHealth literacy, determined by the eHEALS score. We examined the association of participant characteristics with technology use, mHealth interest, and eHealth literacy by estimating prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We conducted a thematic content analysis of open-ended survey responses to augment the quantitative findings.

Results

Study participants (N=932): mean age 68 years, 59% male, mean eGFR 54 ml/min/1.732. About 70% currently use Internet/email/smartphones; only 27% had adequate eHealth literacy (eHEALS score ≥32). Participants <65 years (vs. older), of White (vs. non-White) race, and with high school education (vs. lower) had more Internet/email use. Those of non-White (vs. White) race had more interest in mHealth apps (see Table for more results). Three themes emerged from the content analysis: opposing views on using mHealth, concerns about losing the patient-provider face-to-face interaction, and barriers to mHealth use.

Conclusion

Many people with CKD currently use and are interested in mHealth, but few have adequate eHealth literacy. Leveraging mHealth represents a potential opportunity to engage individuals with CKD, especially minorities since they had more interest in mHealth apps, compared to non-minorities.

Patient Characteristics and Technology Use, Interest, and eHealth Literacy. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% CI reported.
 Internet/Email Current UseSmartphone Current UseInterest in Internet/Email/Smartphone UseInterest in mHealth application UseAdequate eHealth Literacy
Age ≥65 vs <65 years0.68 (0.64-0.72)0.61 (0.57-0.65)0.74 (0.69-0.79)0.95 (0.87-1.03)0.56 (0.69-0.79)
White vs. Non-White race1.28 (1.19-1.38)0.99 (0.91-1.07)1.16 (1.06-1.28)0.82 (0.75-0.90)1.25 (0.97-1.62)
High school or more vs. Less than2.69 (2.09-3.45)1.60 (1.33-1.92)1.96 (1.43-2.69)1.02 (0.92-1.14)4.11 (2.16-7.79)

Funding

  • NIDDK Support