Online health information seeking and verification behaviors and eHealth literacy as predictors of ovarian cancer awareness among women

Abstract

This study examined the impact of women's online health information seeking and verification behaviors and eHealth literacy on ovarian cancer awareness. This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 440 women aged 20-65 years attending a public Community Health Center in T & uuml;rkiye between August 2025 and January 2026. Data were collected using the Online Health Information Seeking and Verification Behavior Scale (OHISVBS), eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Scale (OCAS). Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. eHealth literacy was positively associated with symptom recognition (r = 0.305, p < .001) and risk factor recognition (r = 0.303, p < .001). All OHISVBS subdimensions were significantly correlated with both awareness subdimensions (r = 0.230-0.341; p < .001). Hierarchical regression showed that regular gynecological examination and eHealth literacy were independently associated with higher symptom recognition (beta = .271 and .168, respectively) and risk factor recognition (beta = .311 and .267, respectively). The final models explained 37.1 percent and 35.4 percent of the variance. Strengthening women's digital health literacy and promoting online health information seeking and verification behaviors may improve ovarian cancer awareness and timely healthcare seeking.