Health Information Seeking Behaviour in University Students Sri Lanka

Manjula Gunarathna

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i06.11295

Health Information Seeking Behaviour in University Students Sri Lanka

Author(s)	Manjula Gunarathna
Country	Sri Lanka
Abstract	Health Information Seeking Behaviour (HISB) refers to the action individuals take to fulfil their health-related information needs. In today's information-rich world, understanding HISB has become crucial for developing effective strategies in information-seeking and health management. For university students, efficient HISB can alleviate health-related anxiety, enhance risk management, promote self-care, and empower informed decision-making, all of which can positively impact academic performance. The findings unveiled intriguing patterns in information source preferences, with 46.2% of students turning to the Internet as their primary source, 41% relying on interpersonal networks, and 13% consulting healthcare professionals. Notably, no students reported using mass media platforms for health information. Gender, year of study, degree program, physical activity, health literacy, self-efficacy, and perceived severity of health problems exhibited significant associations with the choice of information sources. For instance, male students preferred the Internet, while female students leaned towards consulting healthcare professionals and interpersonal networks. Second-year students primarily used the internet, while final-year students sought advice from family and friends. Those who work-activity turned to healthcare professionals, whereas sports-activity favoured the internet. Furthermore, students with low work activity showed reduced odds of using the internet. Interestingly, sports activity had a significant impact only among internet information seekers. Students with moderate health literacy were more inclined to consult family and friends. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the factors affecting HISB among university students, offering a nuanced understanding of their information-seeking behaviour. These findings have implications for health education and interventions promoting informed and responsible health-related decision-making among young adults.
Keywords	Health Information Seeking Behaviour, University Students, Information-Seeking Strategies, Health Management
Field	Sociology > Health
Published In	Volume 5, Issue 6, November-December 2023
Published On	2023-12-30
Cite This	Health Information Seeking Behaviour in University Students Sri Lanka - Manjula Gunarathna - IJFMR Volume 5, Issue 6, November-December 2023. DOI 10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i06.11295
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i06.11295
Short DOI	https://doi.org/gtbtgh

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Health Information Seeking Behaviour in University Students Sri Lanka

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