A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Measure the Use of Social Media Tools in Accessing Health Information: A Case Study of Griffith University Students, Queensland, Australia (original) (raw)
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2016
This research explores perceived user satisfaction and the impact of students using Mobile Wireless Communication Technology (MWCT) and Social Media tools (SM) for accessing health information. It was specifically concerned with whether there was a spatial pattern based on students ’ location or other social characteristics. An online survey was designed and utilised to collect quantitative, qualitative and spatial data. This study is unique, as it provides multi-dimensional empirical evidence (i.e., quantitative, qualitative, and spatial evidence) that underlies and complements each other. Our findings indicate that there is some evidence of a pattern of who to use these tools more extensively for accessing health information; for example, families with kids, people who live with partners etc. Proximity to campus was not found to be correlated, and no spatial structure was found in relation to the question: Who used or did not use MWCT to access health information. Therefore, this ...
Proceedings of the Second ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on the Use of GIS in Public Health - HealthGIS '13, 2013
This research explores the perceived user satisfaction and impact of students using Mobile Wireless Communication Technology (MWCT) and Social Media tools (SM) for accessing health information, and whether there was a spatial pattern based on their location or other social characteristics. An online survey utilised in this study has been designed to collect quantitative, qualitative and spatial data. Effectively, this study is unique, as it provides multi-dimensional empirical evidence (i.e., quantitative, qualitative, and spatial evidence) and these underlying and complement each other. Findings indicate that there is some pattern of who is believed to use these tools more extensively; for example, families with kids, people who live with partners etc. Proximity to the campuses measure was not found to be a pronounced measure, and no spatial structure has been found in relation to the question: Who used or did not use MWCT to access health information. Thus, this paper argues for the inclusion and expansion of health information utilising MWCT and SM tools amongst students, which, in turn, can complement traditional methods to access health information. The study uses a multi-dimensional approach in obtaining empirical evidence. Utilising quantitative, qualitative, and spatial analysis, these analysis instruments are interweaved and complement each other. This also provides unique robustness to this study mostly because of the variety of evidence provided. Potentially, the findings of this paper can be used by other organisations elsewhere to promote the development of new approaches and development of online tools to encourage the access to health information by students. This, in turn may play a positive role in their health status.
The HIM journal, 2015
Objective: Mobile wireless communication technologies (MWCT) and social media (SM) networks create pathways for accessing widely available information that are favoured particularly by younger generations. The purpose of this study was to explore the way university students use these communication technologies to access health information. Method: Participants (n=696), who were recruited via an email invitation, completed an online self-reported survey that collected multi-dimensional data consisting of quantitative, qualitative and spatial statistics. Results: The results indicate that technology was used extensively to search for health information and resulted in positive changes in participants' behaviours; however they perceived lack of reliability of the information as a pressing issue. Conclusion: The results suggest that appealing, persuasive and reliable MWCT and SM can be used extensively to promote health amongst Australian youth.
Advances in healthcare information systems and administration book series, 2017
This chapter will identify how Australian university students access and use various forms of technology (Web 1.0-Internet, Web 2.0-social media-SM) to retrieve personal health information. This chapter will move beyond Web 1.0, to present a theoretical basis of claim, concerning the extent to which other forms of technology (e.g. Web 2.0 and wireless monitoring devices) have impacted on youth. What is more, attention will be directed towards outlining to what degree this has shaped their patterns of health information retrieval. Importantly, this chapter aligns with contemporary literature that suggests a need for further studies into the area of human-technology interactions, which promotes sustainable action plans and strategies that will create and encourage reform throughout e-health programs and interactive communication platforms. Given that Australian university students are prolific users of modern forms of communication technology and that youth, in general, characteristically undertake relatively high levels of risky health behaviours and unhealthy lifestyle choices, such a chapter would seem warranted.
Assessing Social Networking Sites as a tool in creating easy access to Health.docx
This paper examined the potential of the use of Social Networking Sites in creating easy access to health information among Nigerian undergraduates in tertiary institutions. It employed uses and gratifications and technological determinism theories as theoretical framework and examined relevant literature on the subject. Students of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State and Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Oyo State, formed the population of the study. Questionnaire and In-depth-Interview guide were designed as major instruments for data gathering, while frequency count and percentages were adopted for data analysis. The study found that: SNS have become very prevalent especially among the youths with most of them subscribing to more than one site; that SNS have had (still have the potential) both positive and negative influence on easy accessibility of health related information. Furthermore, subscribers can be reached with various health messages that centre on several diseases, and personal health issues in order to promote healthy living among the people. The paper concluded that the considerable popularity being enjoyed by Facebook and Twitter among the youths can make them ( the platforms) serve as viable avenues in reaching the youths with effective, efficient and appropriate health messages.
ICTS and Their Role in Health Promotion
Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, 2013
This chapter presents findings of mini-survey that utilized an exploratory descriptive design to examine the accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and utility of ICTs with specific reference to health promotion for selected rural communities. Specifically, the study focused on access to radio, television, mobile phone, and Internet services at a level of effort and cost that is both acceptable to and within the means of a large majority in a given village. The findings indicate that ICTs gadgets explored have opened up possibility for health services and information to reach even people in the rural areas. Ultimately, access affects the general well-being of individuals. One of the major initiatives under the umbrella of health is improving access to health services and information; and this covers among other things, expanding the delivery of health information through the radio and television. This study confirms breakthrough in this respect. Challenges that accompany the use of these ICT gadgets include no connectivity in some areas and lack of training to use them.
2017
This paper presents a field experiment in which students received an intensive and highquality Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) intervention that sought to foster healthy behavior. Students who were subject to the treatment (informative onsite sessions with experts and frequent reminders via several social media channels) improved their knowledge of healthy habits relative to the control group. However, they were not able to translate this knowledge into healthier behavior, whether self-reported or objectively measured by a physician. The patterns in the data appear most consistent with a model in which students have present bias, lack knowledge about the health production function, or are coping with complementary inputs, though other explanations are possible.
Exploring Digital Health Use and Opinions of University Students: Field Survey Study (Preprint)
2017
Background: During university, students face some potentially serious health risks, and their lifestyle can have a direct effect on health and health behaviors later in life. Concurrently, university students are digital natives having easy access to the internet and new technologies. Digital health interventions offer promising new opportunities for health promotion, disease prevention, and care in this specific population. The description of the current use of and opinions on digital health among university students can inform future digital health strategies and interventions within university settings. Objective: The aim of this exploratory study was to report on university students' use and opinions regarding information and communication technologies for health and well-being, taking into account sociodemographic and self-rated general and mental health correlates. Methods: This field survey was conducted from March to April 2017. An informed consent form and a paper questionnaire were given to students aged 18 to 24 years in 4 university campuses in Bordeaux, France. The survey was formulated in 3 sections: (1) sociodemographic characteristics and self-rated general and mental health, (2) information about the use of digital health, and (3) opinions about digital health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and tests of independence. Results: A total of 59.8% (303/507 females) students completed the questionnaire. Concerning digital health use, 34.9% (174/498) had at least 1 health app mostly for physical activity (49.4%, 86/174) and general health monitoring (41.4%, 72/174,), but only 3.9% (20/507) of students had a wearable device. Almost all (94.8%, 450/476) had searched for Web-based health-related information at least once in the last 12 months. The most sought health-related topics were nutrition (68.1%, 324/476); pain and illnesses (64.5%, 307/476); and stress, anxiety, or depression (51.1%, 243/476). Although Wikipedia (79.7%, 357/448) and general health websites (349/448, 77.9%) were the most consulted sources, students considered institutional or official websites as the most credible sources (309/335, 92.2%). There were significant differences in digital health use by gender, field, and year of study. No statistically significant association was found between digital health use and self-rated general and mental health status. Concerning opinions on digital health, although 94.1% (475/505) of students estimated that today's digital health cannot replace traditional health services and medical consultations, 44.6% (207/464) of students declared that this could be possible in the future, provided that digital health interventions are promoted by institutional or official entities. Conclusions: University students are largely using the internet for health information seeking, but using less mobile health apps and very few wearable devices. Our data suggest that digital health has the potential for improving health and well-being at the university, especially if digital health interventions take into account students' profiles, interests, and needs.