DIGITAL GAPS AT HOME: PARENTAL LITERACY AND HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

Background: The digital divide continues to be a critical global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. Barriers including poor internet access, limited availability of digital devices, and inadequate digital literacy impede equitable access to healthcare and education. For children in their primary school years, this gap adversely influences physical, cognitive, and behavioral development. Parental digital health literacy has recently gained recognition as a pivotal factor shaping child health outcomes, yet its influence in disadvantaged populations remains underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of parental digital health literacy and health-related communication on hygiene practices and physical activity engagement among primary school-aged children in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 384 parents of children aged 6–12 years enrolled in grades 1–5 across public and private schools in Lahore. Stratified random sampling ensured inclusion of urban and peri-urban populations across different socioeconomic strata. Data were collected using structured questionnaires incorporating validated tools, including items from the HLS19 and CPAQ. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS v27. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while inferential tests included one-way ANOVA, independent samples t-test, and chi-square test, with statistical significance defined as p<0.05. Results: Significant differences were observed across parental digital engagement categories. Children whose parents frequently shared health information online achieved the highest hygiene scores (M=3.719, SD=0.229) compared with those whose parents rarely (M=2.904, SD=0.490) or never (M=2.902, SD=0.404) communicated such information (F(4, 38)=109.185, p<0.001). Parents who used digital platforms reported higher hygiene outcomes for their children (M=3.59, SD=0.305) compared with those not using platforms (M=3.02, SD=0.497; t(239.04)=12.8, p<0.001). Chi-square analysis further revealed a strong association between frequency of parental health discussions and child engagement in physical activity (χ²=80.60, p<0.001). Conclusion: Parental digital literacy and active health communication substantially improve hygiene practices and physical activity participation among primary school-aged children. Interventions that bridge the digital literacy gap among caregivers may play a transformative role in reducing child health inequities in underserved settings.