Sources of health information used by Qatari adolescents

Abstract

Background: In Qatar, health media campaigns and applications (apps) have not been particularly successful among adolescents. Arab culture and Kohlberg's theory of moral development suggest personal communication as a promising alternative. Aims: This study asks the question, how important is personal communication for health information among adolescents when compared to other sources? Methods: A secondary analysis of a representative survey in 2017 with 1117 adolescents in Qatar was performed. Results: Personal communication is the most important source of health information, together with a few selected internet platforms. There was little difference in selection according to gender or age of adolescents. Conclusions: Health information for adolescents should take advantage of personal communication and pay attention to which internet channels are used. Parents and friends are particularly relevant.

Study of health information needs among adolescents in Croatia shows distinct gender differences in information seeking behaviour

“…Mothers were the most common and preferred sources of health information, consistent with previous studies’ findings (Baheiraei et al, 2014; Schoenbach, 2020; Wartella et al, 2016; Ybarra et al, 2008). Females were more likely than males to turn to their mothers to ask questions about health concerns, the same as in Baheiraei et al (2014).…”

“…Many studies have focused on a specific health issue and/ or a particular information source in recent years. The topics include diabetes (Fergie et al, 2016), reproductive health (Nwagwu, 2007), cancer (Lea et al, 2018), an online source for questions about eating disorders (Bowler et al, 2013), social media use and mental health (Kelly et al, 2019) and personal and Internet sources for health information needs (Schoenbach, 2020). Although there has been growing interest in adolescents' health information behaviours, much of that interest has focused on college students or persons between 18 and 30.…”