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  4. Vol 4, Issue 2, 2024

Research on Users' Health Information Literacy and Information Source Preferences

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DOI: 10.23977/phpm.2024.040212 | Downloads: 14 | Views: 707

Author(s)

Wang Shanshan 1, Ruan Mei 2

Affiliation(s)

1 Library, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
2 The Administrative Center of Shanghai R&D Public Service Platforms, Shanghai, 200235, China

Corresponding Author

Wang Shanshan

ABSTRACT

The ability to select appropriate information sources is a key component of users' health information literacy. The investigation of preferences regarding the sources of health information can assist in the analysis of the diverse range of information sources utilized by individuals with varying degrees of health information literacy. The findings of this research have the potential to enhance users' health information literacy and the quality of the information they obtain. A questionnaire is used to measure users' health information literacy, and interviews are used tracking users' health information seeking behavior. NVivo 12 is used to analyze data. The research results show that users with different levels of health information literacy have different preferences for information source selection. Users with high levels of health information literacy are more inclined to choose online information sources to search for health information, and the selected information sources are very rich. The information source selection preferences of users with medium health information literacy level are the most unique. In addition to doctors, family and friends, search engines, they also choose low trust sources. Users with low levels of health information literacy have a relatively limited selection of information sources, including doctors, family and friends, television programs, and search engines. In addition, the influencing factors of user information source selection vary with different levels of health information literacy.

KEYWORDS

Health information literacy; Information source selection; Health information source preference; Health information behavior

CITE THIS PAPER

Wang Shanshan, Ruan Mei, Research on Users' Health Information Literacy and Information Source Preferences. MEDS Public Health and Preventive Medicine (2024) Vol. 4: 86-95. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/phpm.2024.040212.

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