Investigating the Dynamics of Women's Health Information on Social Media: Nursing Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2024.v16i02.019Abstract
Background: The digital era has revolutionised health information dissemination, with social media emerging as a pivotal resource. This study explores how female university staff in Mosul, Iraq, utilise social media for health information seeking, emphasizing their engagement patterns, preferred platforms, and perceived benefits and challenges. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 500 female University of Mosul and Nineveh University staff members. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire addressing demographic characteristics, social media usage patterns, and health information-seeking behaviours, and the study period, chosen to capture a comprehensive snapshot of social media usage, spanned from November 2 to December 10, 2023. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS software. Results: Most participants (68.0%) had been using social media for over five years, with Facebook (40.8%) and YouTube (14.4%) being the most popular platforms for health information. Most participants (93.6%) actively sought health information on social media, spending 3-6 hours daily. Video clips (47.0%) were the preferred content format. Significant sources included well-known medical professionals (31.8%) and health influencers (14.8%). Trust in the source (39.2%) was the primary factor influencing the sharing of health information. A notable 56% of participants made health-related decisions based on information obtained from social media. The benefits were perceived as good by 47.8% of participants, highlighting the positive impact of social media on health information-seeking behaviour. Conclusion: This study's findings underscore the crucial role of social media as a platform for health information among female university staff. The significant engagement and reliance on trusted sources highlight social media's potential to shape future health information dissemination strategies. However, the potential for misinformation necessitates urgent and improved digital health literacy and critical evaluation skills, a key area for future research and intervention. Recommendations: Nurses should develop tailored communication strategies that consider individual preferences and promote digital health literacy. Policymakers should establish guidelines to ensure the credibility of health information on social media. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts and intervention strategies to enhance health outcomes through social media.
Keywords:
Decision-Making, Information Dynamics, Social Media, University Staff, Women's HealthDownloads
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