Self-help groups and health literacy during the Corona pandemic: Results from the qualitative GeMSeHeCo study

Background. The Corona pandemic poses multiple challenges for people with impairments, including managing health information. To date, little is known about the role of self-help in promoting health literacy among its members during the Corona pandemic. Methods. "The Health Literacy of Self-Help group members: Challenges of the Corona-pandemic (GeMSeHeCo)" study is based on a qualitative study design. Field access was provided by self-help advocacy groups throughout Germany. For this purpose, telephone interviews were conducted from July-October 2020 with N = 19 representatives of self-help groups, transcribed and content-analyzed. Results. Self-help group representatives reported strengths and weaknesses in members' use of health information during the Corona pandemic. Weaknesses were reported primarily among older members, those with low levels of education, and those with immigrant backgrounds. Strengths were observed by the representatives among long-term members and among members who continuously educate themselves about their disease. Discussion. Self-help groups are perceived as providing important support to members in dealing with health information during the Corona pandemic. One particular benefit to members is the self-help group's review and compilation of health information according to individual needs. Challenges can arise due to difficulties in German language and understanding, e.g., as a result of a migration background. The expansion of digital offers has proven helpful during this time. In this context, support should increasingly consider older members and members with low financial means, as they have less access to digital offers especially during the Corona pandemic.