Work

Work-related health information literacy: a factor analytic feasibility study of an adapted health information literacy screening tool (EHILS@work)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Health information literacy and health literacy increasingly intersect as important determinants of preventive behavior, health outcomes, and functioning at workplaces. Because organizations use a range of analog and digital communication channels and classical workplaces are replaced by hybrid work conditions, employees' ability to seek, evaluate, and apply work-related health information is gaining more relevance. However, these competencies remain insufficiently studied in workplace contexts. To address this gap, the Everyday Health Information Literacy Screening Tool (EHILS) was adapted for occupational use, resulting in the EHILS@work scale. Methods: = 414, participation rate 37 %). The German EHILS was adapted through expert review to reflect work-related information contexts, and one exploratory item on intranet access was added (11 items in total). Descriptive analyses, exploratory factor analysis, reliability testing, and Spearman correlations with work ability and sociodemographic and workrole characteristics were performed. Results: Exploratory factor analysis (principal axis factoring with Promax rotation) supported a three-factor solution comprising "Awareness and Engagement", "Assessment and Application", and "Access and Understanding". The three factors accounted for 38.3% of the variance, with the additional intranet item loading on the "Access and Understanding" factor. Compared with the original German EHILS scale (α = 0.50 -0.60), the adapted EHILS@work demonstrated improved, though still moderate, reliability for the three-factor solution (α = 0.658). Higher EHILS@work scores were positively associated with work ability, age, higher educational attainment, and leadership responsibilities. Discussion: The EHILS@work is a practical, time-efficient screening tool for assessing work-related health information literacy. It provides actionable insights into employees' competencies and perceived barriers within everyday organizational information environments. Broader validation, tailored information technology adaptions and longitudinal research are needed to examine its applicability across sectors and its role in shaping workplace health promotion.

Source: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1974525

Authors: Elke Ochsmann, Omeara Michael Collins

Institutions: Saarland University, University of Lübeck

Language: English

Topic: Health Literacy and Information Accessibility

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801