Association between health-promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among Iranian university students
Abstract Background E-health literacy is the skill of searching, finding, understanding, and evaluating health information from electronic information sources and using this information to diagnose or treat a health disorder. Adequate health literacy results informed decision-making, and reduced hea...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06823-6 |
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| author | Yalda Mousazadeh Parvin Sarbakhsh Azizollah Arbabisarjou Mohaddeseh Tolouei Heydar Mousavi Sahar Molaei |
| author_facet | Yalda Mousazadeh Parvin Sarbakhsh Azizollah Arbabisarjou Mohaddeseh Tolouei Heydar Mousavi Sahar Molaei |
| author_sort | Yalda Mousazadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background E-health literacy is the skill of searching, finding, understanding, and evaluating health information from electronic information sources and using this information to diagnose or treat a health disorder. Adequate health literacy results informed decision-making, and reduced health risks. This study aims to investigate the relationship between eHealth literacy and health-promoting behaviors among students at Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences. Method This descriptive-analytical study was conducted with students who were selected using a census method. Three questionnaires were used: a demographic questionnaire, the Norman and Skinner eHealth literacy questionnaire, and the Walker Health-Promoting Lifestyle Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-tests, and analysis of variance were employed for comparisons. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between eHealth literacy and health-promoting lifestyle, adjusting for some demographic variables. Results A total of 255 participants were included in the study. The mean eHealth literacy score was 25.55 (SD = 6.4), and the mean health-promoting lifestyle score was 127.74 (SD = 23.59). There was a statistically significant difference in eHealth literacy scores based on economic status (P < 0.004). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between the total eHealth literacy score and the health-promoting lifestyle score (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). According to the linear regression model, eHealth literacy significantly predicts health-promoting behaviors (β = 1.63, p < 0.001). Thus, each unit increase in eHealth literacy was associated with a 1.63 unit increase in the health-promoting lifestyle score. Conclusion The level of eHealth literacy and health-promoting lifestyle are both above moderate. Nevertheless, more work needs to be done to improve eHealth literacy, and health-related behaviors. It is recommended that new educational programs integrated into the curriculum for students including how to search the Internet, introduction to health-related databases, and a lesson on health-promoting behaviors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cc2bc0b6e0b24ec998656bc043b27b2c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-cc2bc0b6e0b24ec998656bc043b27b2c2025-08-20T02:12:58ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-02-0125111010.1186/s12909-025-06823-6Association between health-promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among Iranian university studentsYalda Mousazadeh0Parvin Sarbakhsh1Azizollah Arbabisarjou2Mohaddeseh Tolouei3Heydar Mousavi4Sahar Molaei5Department of Public Health, Khalkhal University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nursing Management, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Community Nursing Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, Khalkhal University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, Khalkhal University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, Khalkhal University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background E-health literacy is the skill of searching, finding, understanding, and evaluating health information from electronic information sources and using this information to diagnose or treat a health disorder. Adequate health literacy results informed decision-making, and reduced health risks. This study aims to investigate the relationship between eHealth literacy and health-promoting behaviors among students at Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences. Method This descriptive-analytical study was conducted with students who were selected using a census method. Three questionnaires were used: a demographic questionnaire, the Norman and Skinner eHealth literacy questionnaire, and the Walker Health-Promoting Lifestyle Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-tests, and analysis of variance were employed for comparisons. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between eHealth literacy and health-promoting lifestyle, adjusting for some demographic variables. Results A total of 255 participants were included in the study. The mean eHealth literacy score was 25.55 (SD = 6.4), and the mean health-promoting lifestyle score was 127.74 (SD = 23.59). There was a statistically significant difference in eHealth literacy scores based on economic status (P < 0.004). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between the total eHealth literacy score and the health-promoting lifestyle score (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). According to the linear regression model, eHealth literacy significantly predicts health-promoting behaviors (β = 1.63, p < 0.001). Thus, each unit increase in eHealth literacy was associated with a 1.63 unit increase in the health-promoting lifestyle score. Conclusion The level of eHealth literacy and health-promoting lifestyle are both above moderate. Nevertheless, more work needs to be done to improve eHealth literacy, and health-related behaviors. It is recommended that new educational programs integrated into the curriculum for students including how to search the Internet, introduction to health-related databases, and a lesson on health-promoting behaviors.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06823-6Health-promoting behaviorLifestyleeHealth literacyStudentsIran |
| spellingShingle | Yalda Mousazadeh Parvin Sarbakhsh Azizollah Arbabisarjou Mohaddeseh Tolouei Heydar Mousavi Sahar Molaei Association between health-promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among Iranian university students BMC Medical Education Health-promoting behavior Lifestyle eHealth literacy Students Iran |
| title | Association between health-promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among Iranian university students |
| title_full | Association between health-promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among Iranian university students |
| title_fullStr | Association between health-promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among Iranian university students |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between health-promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among Iranian university students |
| title_short | Association between health-promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among Iranian university students |
| title_sort | association between health promoting lifestyle and electronic health literacy among iranian university students |
| topic | Health-promoting behavior Lifestyle eHealth literacy Students Iran |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06823-6 |
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