Iranian Women’s Motivations for Seeking Health Information: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Today empowerment of women by health literacy has become a necessity. Researchers have shown that women are active seekers of health information and seeking behaviors are driven by various motivational factors. Paying attention to women's motivations for seeking health information could facilitate evidence-based policy making in promotion of public health literacy. As health information seeking develops within personal-social interactions and also the health system context, it seems that a qualitative paradigm is appropriate for studies in this field. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore Iranian women's motivations for seeking heath information. Patients and Methods:In this qualitative content analysis study, data collection was conducted considering the inclusion criteria, through purposive sampling and by semi-structured interviews with 17 women, using documentation and field notes, until data saturation. Qualitative data analysis was done constantly and simultaneous with data collection. Results: Five central themes emerged to explain the women's motivation for health information seeking including: a) dealing with fear and uncertainly b) understanding the nature of disease and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures c) performing parental duties d) promoting a healthy life style e) receiving safer health care. Conclusions: It seemed that respecting client's concerns, providing comprehensive health information, as well as risk management and promoting safer health care is necessary.

Healthy lifestyle during pregnancy: Uncovering the role of online health information seeking experience

“…A study in the Netherland showed that women who had obtained pre-pregnancy health information were more likely to modify lifestyle behaviors than those who were not prepared for pregnancy [ 3 ]. Some other studies from different countries have reported the same findings; altogether confirming that pregnant women’s access to online maternal health information could encourage them to choose a healthier life style, which in turn improves maternal health [ 9 , 11 , 16 , 20 , 26 , 41 ]. Overall, the present study showed that online health information-seeking behavior does not have a positive relationship with lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy.…”

“…In this regard, a qualitative study in China reported that support for lifestyle modifications during pregnancy was one of the most important benefits of using the Internet from the perspective of pregnant women [ 20 ]. Another qualitative study in Iran has also shown that promoting a healthy lifestyle is one of the main reasons for Iranian women to seek online health information [ 26 ]. However, the overall effect of searching online pregnancy-related information on the actual changes in lifestyle during pregnancy has remained controversial.…”

Mother’s Behaviour in Using Smartphone to Find Child’s Health Information in Pontianak City

“…4 The importance of paying attention to women's motivation in seeking health information is important, because it can facilitate fact-based policy making to improve the family's health status, the realization of public health understanding and achieve optimum health results. 14…”