Publication: PREDICTORS OF ONLINE HEALTH INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONGST MILLENNIALS IN MALAYSIA POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Date
2023
Authors
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Publisher
International Medical University
Abstract
The transformation of healthcare delivery has inspired more people all around the globe to seek health information online. This study investigates the factors influencing online health information seeking activity among Malaysian millennials, particularly in the aftermath of
COVID-19. This study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional research design based on a
combination of the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS) and the Information
Adoption Model (IAM), aimed to investigate the relationship between personal characteristics,
health-related factors, information and source quality. The data revealed that the majority of
Malaysian millennials use search engines to get health information only when it is absolutely
required. Furthermore, the primary motive for seeking health-related information focused
around therapy and medicines. The salience of health problems, high quality argument,
reputable source of information, and perceived usefulness of information were all significant
predictors of online health information seeking behaviour (OHISB). However, there were no
significant correlation between demographics, direct experience, and personal beliefs with
OHISB. Furthermore, this study found that information usefulness plays an important
mediating role in strengthening the link between salience, argument quality, and source
trustworthiness towards OHISB. This study, which focuses primarily on millennials may
restrict generalizability to other generations and cultural contexts. Social bias from selfreported
surveys might potentially have an impact on the findings as well. Despite these
limitations, the novel and fresh viewpoint of this conceptual framework and the insight
provided, may be utilised as a stepping stone for future studies to be undertaken in the digital
health context. Finally, this study aids various stakeholders to further understand the nature of
Malaysian millennials' online health information seeking behaviours in this present digital age.
Description
Keywords
Delivery of Health Care, Cross-Sectional Studies, Information Seeking Behavior, Life Style, Decision Making