Exploring the use of internet by university students for seeking health related information

an article by Asad Ahmad, Mohammed Naved Khan and Obaidur Rahman (Aligarh Muslim University, India) published in Interactive Technology and Smart Education Volume 14 Issue 4 (2017)

Abstract

Purpose
Internet is both a medium and a platform for information exchange. This characteristic of internet is gradually metamorphosing it into an e-learning enabler. A significant percentage of internet users access health-related information through the medium of internet, but little is known about the factors that determine such behaviour. This study aims to explore the factors that determine the behaviour of those seeking health-related information in the virtual world.

Design/methodology/approach
The present study analyses the role of perceived ease of usefulness (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), self-efficacy (SE) and information quality (IQ) on the intention (IU) of the internet users to seek health-related information. Researcher-controlled sampling was used for data collection from 210 university students. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), t-test and correlation have been used for data analysis.

Findings
The results of the study demonstrate that except SE, all other factors have a positive relationship with the intention of the users to seek health-related information. The findings suggest that PU and IQ overshadow PEOU in encouraging the users seeking such health-related information over the internet.

Originality/value
The present study extends the understanding of e-learning adoption associated with seeking health-related information. The researchers propose an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) model to study the factors influencing the use of internet in seeking health-related information by the students enrolled in medical and non-medical courses.

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Understanding the Health Information Needs of British Internet Users Seeking Health Information Online and Their Perceptions of the Quality of the Internet as a Source of Health Information

an article by Christine Marton (affiliation uncertain) published in Journal of Hospital Librarianship Volume 15 Issue 2 (April-June 2015)

Abstract

Statistical results from three Web survey studies on consumer health information from the British Life and Internet Project demonstrate

1. health information needs motivate online health information seeking;
2. these health topics are robust predictors of various measures of online health information seeking in logistic regression models: health conditions and illnesses; new treatments; healthy lifestyle; prescription drugs; sensitive health topics; alternative medicines; and doctor’s visit and doctor or hospital;
3. online health information is not perceived as being completely credible; but
4. online health information can effect positive health outcomes, notably improved eating habits and increased exercise and relaxation; and
5. although official consumer health sites in the UK may be deemed more credible than unofficial consumer health sites, unofficial sites may be viewed as having more relevant content than official sites.

A recent EU study confirms the perception by UK Internet users of the usefulness of the Internet in self-care, care of others, and effective positive health outcomes. These findings may be helpful to consumer health librarians working in hospitals and public libraries alike in understanding their clients’ health information needs and their perceptions of the Internet as a source of health information.

Findings may also influence collection development and management.

Hazel’s comment:
I was more interested in this article from the viewpoint of a user of online information and I picked up some ideas about validation of information sources.

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Is your data safe?

Depends on what that data is about and who you want to keep it safe from but ...

An unnamed journalist at ComputerWeekly headlined "Police to be allowed searches of national database of NHS patient records" on 28 February.

It went largely unnoticed but the minister for the NHS’s National Programme for IT, Ben Bradshaw, has confirmed that data on a central database of millions of confidential health records will be made available to police where there is an “overriding public interest”. The phrase “overriding public interest” is not defined.

Whilst "How secure?" by FishNChipPapers says that ComputerWeekly reports that receptionists at Royal Bolton Hospital's Accident and Emergency department had been looking at the patient records, then printing them to add to the casualty record card.

So, not only is the database apparently open to access by all and sundry it also seems that they are doing so to print out the records to add to a record card. And I thought it was about computerising medical records.

I say that he says that she says that ... this is how rumours start. However, I have no reason to doubt the sources I've quoted.

Adolescent Health

from Librarians' Internet Index: New This Week


Fact sheets, data, and other material about adolescent health topics such as injuries, alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviors, nutrition and obesity, skin cancer, and youth violence. Includes background on the National Initiative to Improve Adolescent Health by the Year 2010, and links to related websites. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

More ...


You will need to excuse or ignore the American bias on this site -- it was, when all's said and done, set up to assist librarians in California and is funded by the State. The researchers do not, however, limit themselves to items which are related to California and many of the items are of general interest.