Predictors of online health information seeking behaviour of non‐medical undergraduate students might vary.
Published In: Health Information & Libraries Journal, 2025, v. 42, n. 2. P. 190 1 of 3
Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3
Authored By: Adegbilero‐Iwari, Oluwaseun Eniola; Oluwadare, Tunrayo; Adegbilero‐Iwari, Idowu 3 of 3
Abstract
Background: As more people across Generations X, Y, and Z continue to use the Internet meet their information needs, this study assesses the characteristics influencing the online health information seeking behaviour (OHISB) of non‐medical university students. Previous studies on the subject in Nigeria have largely assessed the concept of OHISB among university students without examining the determinants of such behaviour. Objective: To determine the predictors of OHISB among non‐medical undergraduate students of a Nigerian private university. Methods: Adopting a cross‐sectional research design, the study utilized a semi‐structured questionnaire administered via Google forms. Some 361 non‐medical undergraduate students were recruited purposively with a response rate of 84.2%. The questionnaire obtained data on students' socio‐demographics, Internet usage, and OHISB. Results: Presence of a chronic condition, gender, and college showed significant associations with students' OHISB. 'Mothers' occupation' and 'prior experience' became significant predictors of students' OHISB. Discussion: The results align with studies that stressed that chronically ill persons would search for health information on the internet and that presence of chronic illness is among the predictors of OHISB. Conclusion: These findings add to evidence from other countries that had identified health literacy and presence of chronic illness as significant predictors of OHISB among students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Additional Information
- Source:Health Information & Libraries Journal. 2025/06, Vol. 42, Issue 2, p190
- Document Type:Article
- Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
- Publication Date:2025
- ISSN:1471-1834
- DOI:10.1111/hir.12479
- Accession Number:190444739
- Copyright Statement:Copyright of Health Information & Libraries Journal is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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