A survey on adolescent health information seeking behavior related to high-risk behaviors in a selected educational district in Isfahan

Abstract

BackgroundsThe characteristics and conditions of growth and development have made adolescence one of the most vital and influential ages for prevention and health promotion, especially in the area of high-risk behaviors. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine adolescent health information seeking behavior related to high-risk behaviors in a selected educational district in Isfahan (Iran).MethodologyThe present study was of an applied type, which was conducted using the survey research method. The statistical population consisted of adolescent students at public schools in Isfahan (6519 subjects), and the sample size was determined to be 364 based on Cochran's formula. The sampling method was of a cluster sampling type, and the data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by medical librarians, and using the Cronbach's alpha method, the reliability was obtained to be 0.85. SPSS 16 software was used for data analysis at two statistical levels: descriptive and inferential (independent t-test, one-sample t-test, chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney).Findings"Lack of mobility" was the most important health information need related to adolescent high-risk behaviors. The most important sources to obtain health information related to high-risk behaviors were "the Internet" with a mean score of 3.69 and "virtual social media" with a mean score of 3.49 out of 5. Adolescents had a positive attitude towards health information. The most important barriers to seeking health information were mentioned as follows: "difficulty in determining the quality of information found", "absence of appropriate information", and "concerns about the disclosure of their problems or illness to others". From the perspective of adolescents, the most important criterion for the evaluation of information quality was "the trueness and correctness of the information" and the need for health information related to high-risk behaviors was higher in girls than in boys.Conclusions/SignificanceConsidering adolescents’ positive attitude towards use of health information, it is necessary to put valid information at their disposal through different information resources, taking into account their level of information literacy. Accordingly, medical librarians’ abilities are suggested to be used for the production, evaluation, and introduction of health-related reading materials in the field of high-risk behaviors in easy language and suitable for adolescents.

The Correlation of Online Health Information Seeking Experience with the Health Related Quality of Life: A Cross-sectional Study among Iranian Female Students

“…In discussion, these explanations are discussed and suggestions are provided. requires providing appropriate and complete health information for them [27]. Health information includes a range of information that can be used in personal and community health decisions [28].…”

“…This can have many explanations. Challenges such as the lack of appropriate information and inadequate quality, poor health literacy of internet users, insufficient skills in searching information, lack of trust in online health information sources and concerns about the security and confidentiality reduce the potential of internet in serving the health of population [27,33,44]. The production and dissemination of health misinformation is also a serious concern.…”

Health Information Seeking Behaviour Among Students in the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

“…Similarly, Esmaeilzadeh et al (2018) reported the scourge of alcohol and drug abuse and illicit sexual practices among Iranian youths which has caused a decline in the health condition of young people in the country. This awareness has caused youths to seek health information to improve their health status.…”

“…More importantly, health information is considered very essential for youths who make up a substantial part of the world's population. According to Esmaeilzadeh, Ashrafi-rizi, Shahrzadi, & Mostafavi (2018), a fifth of the world's population is between 10 and 19 years old and 85% of them live in developing countries. Provision of health information for young people is fundamental to national development.…”

“…Health information-seeking among young people especially in tertiary institutions is a growing concern as incidents of high-risk behaviours in young people are on the increase (Esmaeilzadeh et al 2018). High-risk behaviours involve a display of attitudes that attract undesirable results.…”