Online Health Information Seeking Pattern Among Undergraduates in a Nigerian University

Oluwaseun I. Obasola and Ojo Melvin Agunbiade

SAGE Open, 2016, vol. 6, issue 1, 2158244016635255

Abstract: Based on a cross-sectional design, this study investigates online health seeking and its possible influence on decision making among 400 university undergraduates in Nigeria. From the results, it was found that daily Internet use was on the average (33.7%), and use was constrained by the poor power supply, the high cost of the Internet access, and poor delivery of services. Health information sought covers nutrition, fitness/exercise, HIV/AIDS, malaria, sore throat, mental health, menstrual pain, and sexual/reproductive health. The majority (72.7%) who perceived available health information as accurate and dependable had an opportunity to seek similar information on their health conditions from different online sources. A high proportion (202) claimed that they consulted a physician after that, just a few (54) of the respondents consulted a traditional healer, and a few others relied on self-medication (10%) or asked friends for suggestions (11%). Thus, there is a need to provide reliable Internet connection and enlighten the Nigerian youth on criteria for assessing quality online health information.

Keywords: Internet; health; information; health information; students; university; Nigeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:sagope:v:6:y:2016:i:1:p:2158244016635255

DOI: 10.1177/2158244016635255

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