AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightLongitudinal studies using more representative samples are needed to clarify the temporal nature of these associations and to determine whether changes in digital health literacy are accompanied by meaningful changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Aims: This study primarily examined the association between digital health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors among adults. As a secondary exploratory aim, we also examined differences in DHLS and HLBS scores across selected sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. The Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale (HLBS) and Digital Health Literacy Scale (DHLS) were administered to the participants. We used Pearson’s correlation, simple and multivariable linear regression analyses, independent-samples/Welch t-tests, and one-way/Welch ANOVA, as appropriate. Results: A total of 352 participants had a mean age of 27.90±8.33 years. There was a weak correlation between the HLBS and DHLS scores (r=0.221, p<0.001). In the unadjusted regression analysis, higher DHLS scores were associated with higher HLBS scores (B=0.356, β=0.221, p<0.001), although DHLS explained only 4.9% of the variance in HLBS scores (R²=0.049). The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for age, gender, marital status, educational level, and economic status (B=0.330, β=0.205, p<0.001). The adjusted model explained 12.7% of the variance in HLBS scores (R²=0.127). Additionally, there were significant sociodemographic differences for DHLS according to gender and for HLBS according to economic status, marital status, and exercise habit. Conclusion: Digital health literacy was positively but modestly associated with healthy lifestyle behaviors, and this association remained statistically significant after adjustment for selected sociodemographic characteristics. However, digital health literacy alone explained only a small proportion of the variance in healthy lifestyle behaviors, indicating limited explanatory value when considered in isolation. The secondary exploratory analyses also suggested that selected sociodemographic characteristics were associated with differences in digital health literacy or healthy lifestyle behaviors. These findings should not be interpreted as evidence of causal or clinically important relationships. Longitudinal studies using more representative samples are needed to clarify the temporal nature of these associations and to determine whether changes in digital health literacy are accompanied by meaningful changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors.