Investigating age-related COVID-19 digital health literacy and sense of coherence among adolescents and young adults in schools across Northern Ghana

Introduction

The empirical link between digital health literacy (DHL) and sense of coherence (SoC) has been extensively discussed in the literature. Yet, there seems to be limited evidence regarding the roles of age and depression status in the link between DHL and SoC of adolescents and young adults (AYAs), especially during the COVID-19 crises. This study investigated the interplay between age, DHL, SoC and psychological distress. Particularly, the study examined the following: (1) relationship between DHL and SoC, (2) moderating role of age in the relationship between DHL and SoC as well as (3) moderating role of depression in the relationship between DHL and SoC.

Methods

The study used a cross-sectional survey to select 998 AYAs in secondary schools in Northern Ghana through questionnaire administration using a stratified sampling procedure.

Results

Findings reveal that age was positively and significantly related to DHL and SoC. However, age failed to moderate the relationship between DHL and SoC. With the same level of DHL, students who exhibited depressive symptoms compared to those without, had lower levels of SoC regardless of their age.

Conclusions

Although AYAs’ DHL are likely to differ across different age brackets, this gap does not affect their rates of SoC and depression. Nonetheless, there is a need to improve DHL through regular standard training on internet search using basic audio-visual materials like laptops, smart phones, tablets, and lab computers for adolescent and young adult students. Additionally, school authorities, in collaboration with other stakeholders should develop student-centred cognitive-behavioural strategies aimed at reducing depressive symptoms in secondary school students who are at risk of depression in Northern Ghana.