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Online Health Information Seeking Pattern Among Undergraduates in a Nigerian University

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  • Oluwaseun I. Obasola
  • Ojo Melvin Agunbiade

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Oluwaseun I. Obasola & Ojo Melvin Agunbiade, 2016. "Online Health Information Seeking Pattern Among Undergraduates in a Nigerian University," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(1), pages 21582440166, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:6:y:2016:i:1:p:2158244016635255
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244016635255
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sillence, Elizabeth & Briggs, Pam & Harris, Peter Richard & Fishwick, Lesley, 2007. "How do patients evaluate and make use of online health information?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(9), pages 1853-1862, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nor Intan Shamimi A.A. & Nurul’ Aini M.Z., 2018. "Factors Influencing Behavioral Intention in Online Health Information Seeking among Public University Students," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 8(7), pages 490-499, July.
    2. Evelyn N. Nwagu & Jude C. Enebechi & Amelia N. Odo, 2018. "Self-Control in Learning for Healthy Living Among Students in a Nigerian College of Education," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(3), pages 21582440187, August.
    3. Somayeh Esmaeilzadeh & Hasan Ashrafi-rizi & Leila Shahrzadi & Firozeh Mostafavi, 2018. "A survey on adolescent health information seeking behavior related to high-risk behaviors in a selected educational district in Isfahan," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, November.

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