Feasibility of Mobile Telehealth for Health Literacy Enhancement via Nutritional Counseling during COVID-19

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges, including widespread misinformation and limited access to reliable health resources. These issues have led to the proliferation of superstitions and impulsive decisions regarding drug and supplement use. This study focused on the development and feasibility evaluation of a nutritional teleconsultation system designed to address these challenges. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2020 at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. After conducting a needs assessment, a nutritional teleconsultation system was developed. The usability and functionality testing led to iterative modifications. The system was piloted on clinical staff for a week, after which it was improved and made available to the public. Results: Over 1,000 system logins were recorded, with 641 users completing questionnaires. Of these, 344 accessed consultation services. The majority of consultation users were aged 31–40 years, and hypertension was the most commonly reported underlying condition. Approximately 53% of users were Mashhad residents. Nutritional queries dominated during the pandemic, with 49.1% focusing on nutrition in the context of COVID-19, 32.0% addressing COVID-19 directly, and 7.5% solely about nutrition. Among combined nutrition and COVID-19 questions, the most common topics were diet (46.2%), immunity (28.4%), and supplementation (20.7%). Conclusion: This study highlights the feasibility and public acceptance of telehealth solutions for nutritional consultation during crises. The findings underscore the need for ongoing public education on diet, immunity, and supplementation through diverse media channels to combat misinformation effectively.