AI Insight
This study surveyed 172 Sri Lankan university students to assess their digital health literacy, technology acceptance, and trust in AI health tools. Results showed high eHealth literacy scores and widespread online health information seeking, with 57.6% using AI tools like ChatGPT for health queries. However, despite strong perceived utility of digital platforms, 76.7% still preferred face-to-face consultations, and privacy concerns remained a significant barrier to adoption.
Why it matters
The findings reveal that even digitally native Generation Z students in developing countries show readiness for AI-driven healthcare but maintain strong preferences for traditional clinical interactions. This suggests healthcare systems must address privacy safeguards and develop hybrid models that combine digital tools with in-person care to effectively serve this demographic.
Understand the Science
⚠️ Preprint – Noch nicht peer-reviewed
Dieser Artikel wurde noch nicht von unabhängigen Experten begutachtet. Die Ergebnisse sind vorläufig und sollten mit Vorsicht interpretiert werden.
Background: Digital health technologies, spanning mobile applications, telemedicine, and AI-driven platforms, are rapidly reshaping healthcare delivery globally. Although Generation Z university students are classified as digital natives, empirical data evaluating their eHealth literacy, technology acceptance, and specific trust barriers in developing South Asian nations like Sri Lanka remain scarce. Objective: This study evaluated eHealth literacy, technology acceptance, online health information-seeking behaviors, and adoption barriers among Gen Z undergraduates in Sri Lanka, focusing on the interplay between eHealth literacy, AI trust, and digital care preferences. Methods: A cross-sectional survey (N = 172) was conducted among Sri Lankan university undergraduates utilizing adapted, validated instruments: the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Statistical analysis included scale reliability validation (Cronbach’s alpha), descriptive profiling, Chi-Square ({chi}{superscript 2}) contingency tests, Pearson correlations, and Multiple Linear OLS Regression models. Results: Participants demonstrated high overall eHealth literacy (Mean = 3.84 {+/-} 0.58) and strong endorsement of digital health utility (Mean = 3.99 {+/-} 0.59). Online health searches were reported by 86.6% of respondents. AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) emerged as the second most frequent source for health queries (57.6%), surpassing YouTube (44.2%) and social media (26.2%), with medical students showing significantly higher AI utilization ({chi}{superscript 2} = 8.70, p = .003). In multiple regression analysis, digital platform preference over physical clinic visits (R{superscript 2} = .352, p < .001) was significantly predicted by Perceived Ease of Use ({beta} = 0.371, p = .001) and Trust in AI Recommendations ({beta} = 0.370, p < .001), whereas face-to-face consultation preference (76.7%) and personal data privacy risks (50.0%) remained predominant adoption barriers. Conclusion: Gen Z students in Sri Lanka exhibit high digital health readiness and substantial reliance on AI-driven information seeking. However, institutional deployment must address privacy concerns and integrate hybrid clinical workflows to bridge the gap between high perceived utility and physical consultation preferences.