<p>Turkey is experiencing an aging population, which intensifies and diversifies the inequalities faced by older adults. Understanding the intersection between social and digital inequalities is vital to identify root causes and design effective interventions. This study explores how socio-demographic characteristics of older adults in Turkey influence their use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and health information seeking behaviors. It also examines the role of critical health Literacy and perceived usefulness of technology in shaping these practices. Conducted with 450 participants aged 65 and older in Istanbul, the study utilized descriptive data analyses, reliability testing, mean comparison tests, cross-tabulations, and logistic regression. The findings reveal a positive relationship between higher levels of education and income and increased ICT use and health information seeking behaviors. Statistically significant relationships were found between socio-demographic factors and ICT use and health information seeking behaviors. Older adults and women with lower income and education levels are less likely to use ICT or seek health information compared to men and those with higher income and education levels. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that perceived usefulness of technology significantly increased the likelihood of ICT usage among older adults, while higher levels of critical health literacy increased access to and utilization of health information. These findings highlight the critical role of socio-demographic inequalities in shaping digital inequalities such as unequal access to ICT and health information. This study underscores the link between social and digital inequalities among older adults in Turkey, emphasizing the importance of health literacy and the perceived benefits of technology in addressing these challenges.</p>

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Reproduction of Inequality in Turkey: How Socio-Demographics, Health Literacy, and Perceived Usefulness of Technology Impact ICTs Use and Health Information Seeking Among Older Adults

  • Yaşar Şekerci,
  • Gaye Aslı Sancar Demren

摘要

Turkey is experiencing an aging population, which intensifies and diversifies the inequalities faced by older adults. Understanding the intersection between social and digital inequalities is vital to identify root causes and design effective interventions. This study explores how socio-demographic characteristics of older adults in Turkey influence their use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and health information seeking behaviors. It also examines the role of critical health Literacy and perceived usefulness of technology in shaping these practices. Conducted with 450 participants aged 65 and older in Istanbul, the study utilized descriptive data analyses, reliability testing, mean comparison tests, cross-tabulations, and logistic regression. The findings reveal a positive relationship between higher levels of education and income and increased ICT use and health information seeking behaviors. Statistically significant relationships were found between socio-demographic factors and ICT use and health information seeking behaviors. Older adults and women with lower income and education levels are less likely to use ICT or seek health information compared to men and those with higher income and education levels. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that perceived usefulness of technology significantly increased the likelihood of ICT usage among older adults, while higher levels of critical health literacy increased access to and utilization of health information. These findings highlight the critical role of socio-demographic inequalities in shaping digital inequalities such as unequal access to ICT and health information. This study underscores the link between social and digital inequalities among older adults in Turkey, emphasizing the importance of health literacy and the perceived benefits of technology in addressing these challenges.