Digital Health Literacy and Preventive Health Behaviors Among Young Adults in Urban Indonesia
Keywords:
Digital health literacy, Preventive health behaviors, Young adults, urban health, IndonesiaAbstract
Purpose: This study examines the effect of digital health literacy on preventive health behaviors among young adults in urban Indonesia.
Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey involved 412 young adults aged 18–30 years. A structured questionnaire measured digital health literacy and preventive health behaviors. Reliability and validity were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, average variance extracted, and HTMT. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were used for hypothesis testing.
Findings: Digital health literacy was positively correlated with preventive health behaviors (r = 0.612, p < 0.001) and had a positive and significant effect (β = 0.612, p < 0.001), explaining 37.5% of the variance. After adjustment for sociodemographic and information-seeking factors, it remained the strongest predictor (β = 0.538, p < 0.001).
Implications: Public health programs should strengthen young adults’ skills in evaluating source credibility, verifying health claims, and applying reliable digital health information to preventive decisions.
Originality: This study extends Indonesian evidence by examining broad preventive health behaviors among a heterogeneous urban young-adult population beyond health-profession student samples and information-seeking outcomes.
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