Digital Inclusion among Community Older Adults in the Republic of Korea: Measuring Digital Skills and Health Consequences
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Quantitative Method
2.1.1. Study Participants
2.1.2. Research Instruments
Socio-Demographic Characteristics
Internet Usage Characteristics
Digital Skill Measurement
Participatory Outcomes
2.1.3. Data Analysis
2.2. Qualitative Method
3. Results
3.1. Quantitative Findings
3.1.1. Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Participants
3.1.2. Digital Skills and Internet Usage
3.1.3. Association of Digital Skills with Self-Rated Health and Digital Technology Use for Health Promotion Activities
3.2. Qualitative Findings
3.2.1. Social Connection
3.2.2. Information Access for Daily Activities
3.2.3. Information Access for Health and Participation in Health Promotion Activities
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
5.1. Strength and Limitations
5.2. Implication of the Study
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Variables | Frequency (Percentage) | Mean ± SD | |
---|---|---|---|
Gender | Male | 119 (27.42) | |
Female | 315 (72.58) | ||
Age (Years) | Young-old (65–74 years) | 174 (40.28) | |
Old-old (75–84 years) | 190 (43.98) | ||
Oldest-old (aged 85 and older) | 68 (15.74) | ||
76.75 ± 6.55 | |||
Education status | Did not go to school | 70 (16.13) | |
Primary school graduate | 124 (28.57) | ||
Junior high school graduate | 93 (21.43) | ||
High school graduate | 102 (23.50) | ||
University graduate or higher | 45 (10.37) | ||
Income | No current income | 270 (62.21) | |
≤KRW 1 million | 71 (16.36) | ||
KRW 1–2.5 million | 65 (14.98) | ||
≥KRW 2.5 million | 28 (6.45) | ||
Pension | Yes | 385 (88.71) | |
No | 49 (11.29) | ||
Eye problems in using a digital device | Yes | 265 (65.59) | |
No | 139 (34.41) | ||
Hand problems in using a digital device (example: flexion deformity) | Yes | 9 (2.23) | |
No | 395 (97.77) |
Variables | Frequency (Percentage) | Mean ± SD | |
---|---|---|---|
Digital skills (Range: 1 to 5) | Operational internet skills | 1.77 ± 1.44 | |
Information navigation skills | 1.90 ± 1.36 | ||
Social/communication skills | 2.16 ± 1.61 | ||
Creative skills | 1.23 ± 0.48 | ||
Mobile skills | 1.74 ± 1.29 | ||
Access to the internet | Having access No access | 191 (44.01) 243 (55.99) | |
Types of home internet environment a | Non-user | 238 (54.97) | |
Mobile internet | 81 (18.71) | ||
Broadband (Fiber, ADSL) | 136 (31.41) | ||
Do not know | 2 (0.46) | ||
Types of digital devices use a | Non-user | 218 (50.23) | |
Smartphone | 206 (47.47) | ||
Mobile phone | 8 (1.84) | ||
Personal computer | 42 (9.68) | ||
Tablet | 3 (0.69) | ||
Digital device ownership | Non-user | 218 (50.23) | |
Single device owner | 176 (40.55) | ||
2 devices owner | 37 (8.53) | ||
3 devices owner | 3 (0.69) | ||
Time spent on the internet (hours per week) | Non-user (0) | 227(56.19) | |
Low users of the Internet (<4) | 33 (8.17) | ||
Regular users (4 to 24) | 134 (33.17) | ||
Broad users (>24) | 10 (2.48) | ||
Types of SNS use a | Non-user | 250 (57.60) | |
Kakao Talk | 164 (37.79) | ||
YouTube | 126 (29.03) | ||
23 (5.30) | |||
Line | 12 (2.76) | ||
Facebook Messenger | 1 (0.23) | ||
Others (Band) | 1 (0.23) | ||
SNS use by number of groups | Non-user | 250 (57.60) | |
Single app user | 58 (13.36) | ||
2 apps user | 109 (25.12) | ||
3 apps user | 17 (3.92) |
Variables | Frequency (Percentage) | |
---|---|---|
Self-rated health | ||
Self-rated health status | Very healthy | 65 (14.98) |
Moderately healthy | 127 (29.26) | |
Not very healthy | 150 (34.56) | |
Not healthy | 21.20) | |
Participating in Health Promotion Activities | ||
Usage of the internet and digital technology to improve eating habits | Never | 353 (81.52) |
Rarely | 35 (8.08) | |
Sometimes | 18 (4.16) | |
Often | 13 (3.00) | |
Usually | 14 (3.23) | |
Usage of the internet and digital technology to access healthcare | Never | 350 (80.65) |
Rarely | 35 (8.06) | |
Sometimes | 20 (4.61) | |
Often | 15 (3.46) | |
Usually | 14 (3.23) | |
Usage of the internet and digital technology to access care services for older persons (e.g., house assistance, house cleaning, home bathing, and others) | Never | 370 (85.45) |
Rarely | 38 (8.78) | |
Sometimes | 15 (3.46) | |
Often | 4 (0.92) | |
Usually | 6 (1.39) |
Variable | Univariate Analysis | Multivariable Analysis | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
β | 95% CI | p-Value | β | 95% CI | p-Value | ||
Digital skills | |||||||
Operational skills | 0.44 * | 0.32–0.57 | <0.001 | −0.07 | −0.34–0.20 | 0.600 | |
Information navigation skills | 0.48 * | 0.35–0.62 | <0.001 | −0.02 | −0.32–0.27 | 0.874 | |
Social skills | 0.47 * | 0.35–0.59 | <0.001 | 0.37 * | 0.08–0.65 | 0.013 | |
Creative skills | 1.38 * | 0.98–1.78 | <0.001 | 0.51 | −0.11–1.14 | 0.108 | |
Mobile skills | 0.47 * | 0.32–0.61 | <0.001 | −0.23 | −0.57–0.11 | 0.189 | |
Income | |||||||
No current income | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
≤KRW 1 million | 0.71 * | 0.25–1.17 | 0.002 | 1.05 * | 0.53–1.57 | <0.001 | |
KRW 1–2.5 million | 0.23 | −0.27–0.73 | 0.372 | −0.27 | −0.83–0.29 | 0.351 | |
≥KRW 2.5million | 0.34 | −0.35–1.03 | 0.335 | 0.25 | −0.53–1.03 | 0.527 | |
Education | |||||||
Did not go to school | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
Primary school graduate | 0.91 * | 0.35–1.47 | 0.002 | 0.61 * | 0.02–1.21 | 0.044 | |
Junior high school graduate | 0.98 * | 0.38–1.58 | 0.001 | 0.72 * | 0.09–1.35 | 0.025 | |
High school graduate | 2.05 * | 1.44–2.65 | <0.001 | 1.40 * | 0.71–2.08 | <0.001 | |
University graduate or higher | 2.46 * | 1.73–3.19 | <0.001 | 1.40 * | 0.49–2.30 | 0.002 | |
Age | −0.13 * | −0.16–−0.10 | <0.001 | −0.07 * | −0.11–−0.03 | <0.001 | |
Gender | |||||||
Male | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
Female | 0.03 | −0.35–0.41 | 0.870 | 0.19 | −0.25–0.62 | 0.400 |
Variable | Univariate Analysis | Multivariable Analysis | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
β | 95% CI | p-Value | β | 95% CI | p-Value | ||
Digital skills | |||||||
Operational skills | 0.18 * | 0.03–0.34 | 0.020 | −0.07 | −0.45–0.32 | 0.741 | |
Information navigation skills | 0.39 * | 0.23–0.55 | <0.001 | 0.43 * | 0.09–0.77 | 0.013 | |
Social skills | 0.17 * | 0.03–0.31 | 0.020 | −0.15 | −0.58–0.28 | 0.492 | |
Creative skills | 0.71 * | 0.27–1.16 | 0.002 | 0.28 | −0.55–1.11 | 0.513 | |
Mobile skills | 0.17 | 0.00–0.35 | 0.053 | 0.04 | −0.42–0.51 | 0.854 | |
Income | |||||||
No current income | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
≤KRW 1 million | 2.46 * | 1.84–3.09 | <0.001 | 2.82 * | 2.10–3.55 | <0.001 | |
KRW 1–2.5 million | 0.97 * | 0.18–1.77 | 0.016 | 1.02 * | 0.15–1.90 | 0.022 | |
≥KRW 2.5 million | 2.35 * | 1.46–3.25 | <0.001 | 3.03 * | 1.96–4.10 | <0.001 | |
Education | |||||||
Did not go to school | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
Primary school graduate | −0.37 | −1.13–0.39 | 0.342 | −0.07 | −1.01–0.86 | 0.877 | |
Junior high school graduate | −0.45 | −1.29–0.38 | 0.288 | 0.39 | −0.66–1.44 | 0.462 | |
High school graduate | 0.21 | −0.53–0.95 | 0.574 | 1.12 * | 0.06–2.19 | 0.038 | |
University graduate or higher | 0.67 | −0.20–1.53 | 0.131 | 1.21 | −0.10–2.52 | 0.071 | |
Age | −0.03 | −0.06–0.01 | 0.177 | 0.02 | −0.04–0.07 | 0.590 | |
Gender | |||||||
Male | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
Female | 0.64 * | 0.02–1.26 | 0.043 | 1.39 * | 0.62–2.17 | <0.001 |
Variable | Univariate Analysis | Multivariable Analysis | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
β | 95% CI | p-Value | β | 95% CI | p-Value | ||
Digital skills | |||||||
Operational skills | 0.19 * | 0.04–0.34 | 0.014 | −0.11 | −0.48–0.26 | 0.573 | |
Information navigation skills | 0.43 * | 0.27–0.59 | <0.001 | 0.53 * | 0.21–0.85 | 0.001 | |
Social skills | 0.18 * | 0.04–0.32 | 0.013 | −0.21 | −0.64–0.22 | 0.336 | |
Creative skills | 0.72 * | 0.28–1.16 | 0.001 | 0.15 | −0.68–0.98 | 0.726 | |
Mobile skills | 0.20 * | 0.03–0.37 | 0.023 | 0.13 | −0.33–0.59 | 0.579 | |
Income | |||||||
No current income | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
≤KRW 1 million | 2.56 * | 1.94–3.17 | <0.001 | 2.96 * | 2.24–3.69 | <0.001 | |
KRW 1–2.5 million | 1.11 * | 0.33–1.88 | 0.005 | 1.24 * | 0.38–2.11 | 0.005 | |
≥KRW 2.5 million | 2.38 * | 1.49–3.28 | <0.001 | 3.00 * | 1.94–4.05 | <0.001 | |
Education | |||||||
Did not go to school | 0 (Ref) | ||||||
Primary school graduate | −0.28 | −1.03–0.48 | 0.473 | 0.32 | −0.63–1.26 | 0.515 | |
Junior high school graduate | −0.32 | −1.14–0.50 | 0.448 | 0.86 | −0.20–1.92 | 0.113 | |
High school graduate | 0.32 | −0.42–1.05 | 0.396 | 1.59 * | 0.54–2.65 | 0.003 | |
University graduate or higher | 0.85 | 0.00–1.71 | 0.051 | 1.75 * | 0.46–3.05 | 0.008 | |
Age | −0.02 | −0.06–0.01 | 0.205 | 0.03 | −0.03–0.09 | 0.279 | |
Gender | |||||||
Male | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
Female | 0.63 * | 0.03–1.23 | 0.041 | 1.37 * | 0.61–2.12 | <0.001 |
Variable | Univariate Analysis | Multivariable Analysis | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
β | 95% CI | p-Value | β | 95% CI | p-Value | ||
Digital skills | |||||||
Operational skills | 0.14 | −0.03–0.31 | 0.101 | 0.04 | −0.39–0.48 | 0.843 | |
Information navigation skills | 0.36 * | 0.18–0.54 | <0.001 | 0.45 * | 0.11–0.79 | 0.009 | |
Social skills | 0.12 | −0.04–0.27 | 0.152 | −0.08 | −0.54–0.37 | 0.721 | |
Creative skills | 0.57 * | 0.09–1.06 | 0.021 | 0.29 | −0.64–1.21 | 0.540 | |
Mobile skills | 0.08 | −0.12–0.28 | 0.420 | −0.27 | −0.76–0.23 | 0.293 | |
Income | |||||||
No current income | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
≤KRW 1 million | 2.55 * | 1.84–3.27 | <0.001 | 2.45 * | 1.68–3.22 | <0.001 | |
KRW 1–2.5 million | 1.29 * | 0.42–2.17 | 0.004 | 1.39 * | 0.46–2.33 | 0.003 | |
≥KRW 2.5 million | 2.36 * | 1.39–3.33 | <0.001 | 2.59 * | 1.45–3.72 | <0.001 | |
Education | |||||||
Did not go to school | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
Primary school graduate | −0.30 | −1.07–0.48 | 0.457 | 0.13 | −0.81–1.07 | 0.787 | |
Junior high school graduate | −0.97 | −1.94–0.01 | 0.052 | −0.35 | −1.52–0.82 | 0.556 | |
High school graduate | −0.25 | −1.06–0.56 | 0.552 | 0.33 | −0.77–1.44 | 0.554 | |
University graduate or higher | 0.34 | −0.59–1.26 | 0.475 | 0.63 | −0.75–2.02 | 0.370 | |
Age | −0.01 | −0.05–0.03 | 0.602 | 0.02 | −0.04–0.08 | 0.519 | |
Gender | |||||||
Male | 0 (Ref) | 0 (Ref) | |||||
Female | 0.42 | −0.23–1.07 | 0.209 | 0.86 * | 0.08–1.64 | 0.031 |
Interview Transcripts | Description In-Vivo Codes | Tentative Theme | Core Concept |
---|---|---|---|
“These activities (education on using digital health equipment, mobile phone, AI speaker training) helped the older adults to be more socially connected and sharing information with each other, making friends, and working together by using digital technology” (Female participants) | “Share information” “Socially connected” “Making friends” “Using digital technology” | Social skills: knowing who and what to share | Social skills to share information with peer groups |
“Naver homepage” (Female participant) Some respondents: “YouTube” “I can search some of the information to release pain. “I use the Naver home page and do some exercise” (Male participant) | “Naver” “YouTube” “To release pain” “Do some exercise” | Being able to find the right keywords and places to find information | Information-navigation to assess healthcare |
“I can freely use text messages. I can take pictures and such” “I also use Kakao Talk a lot. Every morning, I get three messages from my friends. Then, I tell and send them” (Female participant) | “Use text messages” “Take pictures” “Kakao Talk” “Tell and send them” | Acquired basic skills to operate a digital device | Operational skills to function digital device, which facilitates social skills for social connection. |
“I search through Kakao Talk to see what is good and what is bad for my health” (Female participants) “If other people send me this, I think it’s good information, so I send it to other people and forward it to them through Kakao Talk’ (Female participants” | “Search through Kakao Talk” “For my health” “Good information” “Forward it to them” | Use mobile phone SNS app Mobile skills | Mobile skills to access health integrate with social skills to share information |
“I can receive calls and messages from friends and children, but I don’t know how to reply back to them” | “Can receive calls and messages” | Use SNS calls and messages for social connection and receive information only | Limited operational skills and mobile skills to make social connection more effectively |
“We took pictures and made videos when we went on a trip. I edited them nicely and sent them to everyone, made albums and sent them as well.” | “Took pictures” “Made videos” “Edited them” “Sent them to everyone” | Know how to create new content from existing photo and videos Feel confident to share them to others | Creative skills, social skills with basic operational internet skills, mobile skills |
Theme | Sub-Theme | Digital Skills |
---|---|---|
Social connection |
| Social skills, occasional creative skills Supported by operational skills and mobile skills |
Information access for daily activities |
| Information navigation skills |
Information access for health |
| Information navigation skills Integrated with social skills, supported by operational skills and mobile skills |
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© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Pan, T.H.; Aung, M.N.; Nam, E.W.; Koyanagi, Y.; Lee, H.; Li, L.; Kyaw, M.Y.; Mulati, N.; Moolphate, S.; Ma Hok Ka, C.; et al. Digital Inclusion among Community Older Adults in the Republic of Korea: Measuring Digital Skills and Health Consequences. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14, 2314-2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14080154
Pan TH, Aung MN, Nam EW, Koyanagi Y, Lee H, Li L, Kyaw MY, Mulati N, Moolphate S, Ma Hok Ka C, et al. Digital Inclusion among Community Older Adults in the Republic of Korea: Measuring Digital Skills and Health Consequences. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education. 2024; 14(8):2314-2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14080154
Chicago/Turabian StylePan, Thet Htoo, Myo Nyein Aung, Eun Woo Nam, Yuka Koyanagi, Hocheol Lee, Li Li, Myat Yadana Kyaw, Nadila Mulati, Saiyud Moolphate, Carol Ma Hok Ka, and et al. 2024. "Digital Inclusion among Community Older Adults in the Republic of Korea: Measuring Digital Skills and Health Consequences" European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education 14, no. 8: 2314-2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14080154