فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background and Objective: Health literacy and digital health literacy reflect on an individual's ability to access, understand, and use health information and digital tools. Both have been associated with self-efficacy and improved health outcomes. The main aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between health literacy and digital health literacy with health-related quality of life. In addition, the study aims to identify the factors contributing to health and digital health literacy.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between December 2024 and January 2025. The questionnaire included socio-demographic data, the HLS-EU-Q16, the electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS), while the SF-12 was applied to assess physical and mental health-related quality of life. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were applied, including multiple linear and logistic regressions.Results: The sample included 557 adults, aged 18 years or above (mean age: 31.4 years; 76.5% female). Most participants had an adequate level of health literacy (64.8%), while the average digital health literacy score was 27.92 (sd=7.15). A significant positive correlation between health literacy and digital health literacy was found (r = 0.487, p<0.001). Health literacy was positively associated with educational level and income. Digital health literacy was also associated with higher educational attainment. Health literacy, but not digital health literacy, was significantly associated with better physical and mental health-related quality of life (b = 0.64 and b = 0.84, respectively; p<0.001).Conclusions: Among adults in Greece and Cyprus, health literacy was generally adequate and positively associated with higher education and income. Digital health literacy correlated with health literacy and education but was not independently related to health-related quality of life. Higher health literacy consistently predicted better physical and mental health-related quality of life, underscoring health literacy as a key, modifiable correlate. These findings support prioritizing health literacy building strategies to advance equity and self-management.