Electronic Health Literacy in Predicting Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors (HPLB): A Cross-Sectional Study among College Students

Aims This study aimed to investigate the role of electronic health literacy in adopting health-promoting lifestyle behaviors (HPLB) among students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in Iran.
Methods In this cross-sectional study, 376 students were selected in 2023-2024 using proportionate stratified sampling. Participants completed questionnaires on demographic characteristics, eHEALS, and HPLP-II. Data were analyzed using SPSSv22 software, employing descriptive and analytical tests including independent t-tests, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis, at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Findings Of the 376 participants, 79.78% were under 22 years of age. The mean and standard deviation of the total HPLB and eHealth literacy scores were (127.5 ± 18.8) and (25.04 ± 5.63), respectively. The highest score among the HPLB dimensions was observed in spiritual growth and self-actualization, while the lowest was in physical activity. A significant relationship was found between eHealth literacy and students’ HPLB, indicating that students with higher levels of eHealth literacy were more likely to engage in healthy behaviors. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age, gender, economic status, place of residence, and eHealth literacy together explained 32% of the variance in nutrition (R² = 0.235), 26% in interpersonal relationships (R² = 0.261), 20% in spiritual growth (R² = 0.202), 18% in health responsibility (R² = 0.183), 16% in stress management (R² = 0.162), and 11% in physical activity (R² = 0.115).
Conclusion It is recommended that eHealth literacy concepts be integrated into university curricula to enhance students’ skills in using information technology for adopting health-promoting behaviors.