Keywords
Health Information, eHealth Literacy, mobile health, adolescents, mHealth, credibility, quality, online health information
Abstract
The introduction of smartphones has revolutionized how late adolescents (aged 18-21 years) access and use the internet. Vast troves of health information are today just a tap or swipe away, with smartphones and internet connectivity becoming increasingly accessible. The need for eHealth literacy among late adolescents is now gaining importance as it ensures an effective use of health information. This study conducted a survey among 427 late adolescents in order to evaluate their eHealth literacy levels; their perceptions of the quality of online health information; their level of trust and credibility in online health and checked if acquiring health information through the online medium led to a change in their behavior intention. The results showed that most of the late adolescents preferred viewing multiple websites for their health information needs. Health information in the form of text and images were preferred over video content; and most preferred accessing online health information in their native language. Cancer and obesity are the common health issues of interest to both genders. Mobile applications (apps) were the least preferred mode of accessing heath information despite the high usage of smartphones. eHealth literacy and credibility positively predicted behavior intention while quality of health information did not predict behavior intention.
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Technical information
Received: 31-12-2019
Revised: 31-01-2020
Accepted: 11-03-2020
OnlineFirst: 15-04-2020
Publication date: 01-07-2020
Article revision time: 31 days | Average time revision issue 64: 36 days
Article acceptance time: 71 days | Average time of acceptance issue 64: 91 days
Preprint editing time: 137 days | Average editing time preprint issue 64: 157 days
Article editing time: 182 days | Average editing time issue 64: 202 days
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