Understanding How Non-Medical University Students Use Online Resources for Health Information: A Qualitative Study

Dr. Julian C. Vance

Open Access

Understanding How Non-Medical University Students Use Online Resources for Health Information: A Qualitative Study

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Dr. Julian C. Vance ¹ ,

⁴ Department of Health Informatics, University of Meridian, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: The proliferation of online health resources has transformed how young adults access health information, yet a significant gap exists in understanding the behaviors and challenges faced by non-medical university students. This qualitative study explores their motivations, strategies, and experiences when navigating digital health resources.

Methods: We used a qualitative descriptive design with semi-structured interviews conducted with a purposive sample of non-medical university students. The verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes related to their online health information-seeking behaviors.

Results: Preliminary findings reveal several emergent themes, including the motivations behind seeking online health information, the challenges of evaluating source credibility, and the influence of social media on health-related perceptions. These findings highlight the need for improved digital health literacy among this demographic.

Conclusion: This study sheds light on the complex process by which non-medical students engage with digital health resources. The results underscore the critical importance of health literacy education in higher education to empower students to make informed health decisions and navigate the vast, often contradictory, landscape of online information.

Keywords

Digital health, online information seeking, university students

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Understanding How Non-Medical University Students Use Online Resources for Health Information: A Qualitative Study. (2025). Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(10), 1-9. https://www.grpublishing.org/journals/index.php/gjhss/article/view/190

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Understanding How Non-Medical University Students Use Online Resources for Health Information: A Qualitative Study

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