eHealth Literacy and Search Frequency in Relation to Objective Sleep Disorder Knowledge: Cross-Sectional Study

eHealth literacy and search frequency were both linked to greater knowledge of sleep disorders. However, the strength of the literacy-knowledge association differed across levels of search frequency. The relationship was stronger when search frequency was low and weaker among frequent seekers. These findings suggest that eHealth literacy and information-seeking behaviors jointly shape factual knowledge. Supporting eHealth literacy together with guidance on efficient information use may help patients acquire more accurate health knowledge. This study also introduces a newly developed scale for assessing objective knowledge about sleep disorders, providing a foundation for consistent evaluation of disease-specific knowledge.