E-Health Literacy and Health Information Seeking Behavior Among University Students in Bangladesh

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2017:245:122-125.

Abstract

Web 2.0 has become a leading health communication platform and will continue to attract young users; therefore, the objective of this study was to understand the impact of Web 2.0 on health information seeking behavior among university students in Bangladesh. A random sample of adults (n = 199, mean 23.75 years, SD 2.87) participated in a cross-sectional, a survey that included the eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS) assessed use of Web 2.0 for health information. Collected data were analyzed using a descriptive statistical method and t-tests. Finally logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between sociodemographic, social determinants, and use of Web 2.0 for seeking and sharing health information. Almost 74% of older Web 2.0 users (147/199, 73.9%) reported using popular Web 2.0 websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to find and share health information. Current study support that current Web-based health information seeking and sharing behaviors influence health-related decision making.

Keywords: Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Literacy; Social Media.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bangladesh
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Literacy*
  • Humans
  • Information Seeking Behavior*
  • Internet*
  • Students*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult