Familiarity with the internet and health apps, and specific topic needs are amongst the factors that influence how online health information is used for health decisions amongst adolescents

Abstract

Background: Many adolescents believe that online health information is reliable, particularly when they are familiar with the source of information.

Objective: To analyse the degree of influence of online health information on high school students' health decisions and examine whether socio-demographic characteristics, digital literacy, use of different websites and interest in specific health topics are associated with a stronger influence of online health information on adolescents' health-related decisions.

Methods: Participants were students from four public high schools in Belgrade, Serbia. Socio-demographic and behavioural questionnaire as well as the e-health literacy scale (eHEALS) were used to collect data.

Results: The study sample comprised 702 students. A total of 79.6% of students reported that online health information influenced their health decisions to a certain extent (from 'a little' to 'a lot'). Being a boy, using the internet since younger age, better self-perceived e-health literacy, using health apps, Google, health forums, websites of health institutions, social media and YouTube, being interested in diet/nutrition, sexually transmitted infections and cigarettes were the characteristics associated with a stronger influence of online health information on students' health decisions.

Conclusion: This study provides clues about how online health-related information can be used to adjust and enhance health promotion amongst adolescents.

Keywords: adolescents; consumer health information; demography; information services; information-seeking behaviour; internet.