Open Access
Understanding How Non-Medical University Students Use Online Resources for Health Information: A Qualitative Study
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
References
Alhussin, E. M., Mohamed, S. A., Hassan, A. A., Al-Qudimat, A. R., Doaib, A. M., & Alhawsawy, E. D. (2024). Patients' satisfaction with the quality of nursing care: A cross-section study. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 20, 100690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2024.100690
Ahmed, F. F., & Hassan, H. B. (2022). Effectiveness of an instructional program on patients with ulcerative colitis adherence for medication and diet to prevent colorectal cancer: Case and control study. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties, 35(1), 70-81. https://doi.org/10.58897/injns.v35i1.505
Antonsen, L. K., Lassen, A. T., Nielsen, D., & Østervang, C. (2024). Receiving person-centred care in a hospital—a qualitative study of socially marginalised patients' experiences of social nursing. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 38(1), 220-230. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.13212
Bahrami, M., Parnian, R., & Samimi, M. A. (2012). The effect of nursing consultation involving cancer survivors on newly diagnosed cancer patients' quality of life. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 17(5), 338-342. https://journals.lww.com/jnmr/fulltext/2012/17050/The_effect_of_nursing_consultation_involving.3.aspx
Cecon-Stabel, N., Salm, S., Pfaff, H., Dresen, A., & Krieger, T. (2023). Patients' perspectives on the quality of care of a new complex psycho-oncological care programme in Germany–external mixed methods evaluation results. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 759. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09714-y
Donmez, E., Dolu, I., Dulger, Z., Bayram, Z., Can, G., & Akman, M. (2022). Care needs and satisfaction with nursing care quality of cancer patients, 9: e2312. https://doi.org/10.32113/wcrj_20225_2312
Fortuno, A., Oco, D., & Clores, M. (2017). Influential components of caring nurse-patient interaction (cnpi) in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines: Towards improving health outcomes of patients. International Journal of Nursing Science, 7(4), 84-90. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.nursing.20170704.02
Gebhardt, S., Wolak, A. M., & Huber, M. T. (2013). Patient satisfaction and clinical parameters in psychiatric inpatients—the prevailing role of symptom severity and pharmacologic disturbances. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 54(1), 53-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.03.016
Gomes, P., Ribeiro, S., Silva, M., Cruchinho, P., Nunes, E., Nascimento, C., & Lucas, P. (2024). Cross-Cultural Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale. Cancers, 16(5), 859. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16050859
He, H., Zhu, N., Lyu, B., & Zhai, S. (2023). Relationship between nurses' psychological capital and satisfaction of elderly cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1121636. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1121636
İspir Demir, Ö., Yilmaz, A., & Sönmez, B. (2024). Relationship between care dependency, adverse events, trust in nurses and satisfaction with care: The mediating role of patient-reported missed care. Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16176
Karlou, C., Papadopoulou, C., Papathanassoglou, E., Lemonidou, C., Vouzavali, F., Zafiropoulou-Koutroubas, A., Katsaragakis, S., & Patiraki, E. (2018). Nurses' Caring Behaviors Toward Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in Greece: A Mixed-Methods Study. Cancer Nursing, 41(5), 399-408. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0000000000000562
Labrague, L. J., McEnroe-Petitte, D. M., Papathanasiou, I. V., Edet, O. B., & Arulappan, J. (2015). Impact of Instructors' Caring on Students' Perceptions of Their Own Caring Behaviors. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(4), 338-346. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12139
Lai, Y.-C., Chen, Y.-H., Wu, Y.-C., Liang, F.-W., Wang, J.-J., Lim, S.-W., & Ho, C.-H. (2022). The Association between Smoking and Mortality in Women with Breast Cancer: A Real-World Database Analysis. Cancers, 14(19), 4565. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/19/4565
Lake, E. T., Germack, H. D., & Viscardi, M. K. (2016). Missed nursing care is linked to patient satisfaction: a cross-sectional study of US hospitals. BMJ Quality & Safety, 25(7), 535-543. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2015-003961
Lilu, F. K. A., & Al-Jubouri, M. B. A. (2023). Assessment of Challenges Encountering Nurses in Delivering Care to Patients with Cerebrovascular Accident. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties, 36(2), 80-91. https://doi.org/10.58897/z4e4z448
Mohammed Alhussin, E., Mohamed, S. A., Hassan, A. A., Al-Qudimat, A. R., Doaib, A. M., al jonidy, R. M., al harbi, L. I., & Alhawsawy, E. D. (2024). Patients' satisfaction with the quality of nursing care: A cross-section study. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 20, 100690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2024.100690
Mulyadi, N., & Katuuk, M. E. (2017). Hubungan motivasi kerja denganperilaku caring perawat di instalasi gawat darurat dan intensive care unit di rsu pancaran kasih gmim manado. Jurnal keperawatan, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.35790/jkp.v5i2.25159
Ntarangwi, T. K., Mutunga-Mwenda, C. S., & Nkoroi, B. (2019). Satisfaction with nursing care among cancer patients admitted in oncology wards at a national referral hospital in Kenya. Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care, 2(11), 374-380. https://doi.org/10.36348/sjnhc.2019.v02i11.005
Qassim, S. K., Sadeq, A. F., & PourGhaznein, T. (2023). Efficacy of a Pre-Radiotherapy, Nurse-Led Instructional Program to Enhance the Level of Awareness of Patients Receiving Radiotherapy for First Time. Iraqi National Journal of Nursing Specialties, 36(2), 67-79. https://doi.org/10.58897/7201ep84
Sandnes, L., & Uhrenfeldt, L. (2022). Caring touch in intensive care nursing: a qualitative study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 17(1), 2092964. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2092964
Sharour, L. A. (2021). Translation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Caring Nurse-Patient Interaction Scale–Patient Version (CNPI-23P). Cancer Nursing, 44(2), E62-E67. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0000000000000755
Sharour, L. A., Al Sabei, S., Al Harrasi, M., Anwar, S., Salameh, A. B., & Al Qadire, M. (2022). Quality of oncology nursing care as perceived by patients with cancer: Results from three Arab Countries. Cancer Nursing, 45(2), E545-E551. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0000000000000993
Schilsky, R. L., Nass, S., Le Beau, M. M., & Benz Jr, E. J. (2020). Progress in cancer research, prevention, and care. The New England Journal of Medicine, 383(10), 897-900. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp2007839
Upadhyay, S., & Jones, J. (2024). Patient–provider communication quality: Socioeconomic disparities in smoking outcomes. Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, 10(March), 14. https://doi.org/10.18332/tpc/184050
Villacarlos, F. A., & Daño, J. C. (2020). Impetus Of Clinical Nurse Managers: Countless Stories of Nurses. Malaysian Journal of Medical Research (MJMR), 4(1), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjmr.2020.v04i01.002
Vujanić, J., Prlić, N., & Lovrić, R. (2020). Nurses' Self-Assessment of Caring Behaviors in Nurse–Patient Interactions: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), 5255. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145255
Xia, C., Dong, X., Li, H., Cao, M., Sun, D., He, S., Yang, F., Yan, X., Zhang, S., Li, N., Chen, W., & Ni, J. (2022). Cancer statistics in China and United States, 2022: profiles, trends, and determinants. Chinese Medical Journal, 135(05), 584-590. https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000002108
How to Cite
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
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Mittali Joshi, NETFLIX AND YOUTH: A STUDY ON STREAMING POPULARITY , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 07 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 07
- Tara Nath Ghimire, Dol Raj Kafle, Sujata Karki, DIPLOMATIC STRATEGIES OF KING PRITHVI NARAYAN SHAH IN UNIFICATION OF NEPAL , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 04 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 04
- FAMILUGBA JONATHAN OLUROPO, IBITOYE MAJEKODUNMI OLUSESAN, ADEDAYO ADEDEJI MATTHEW, OJO MAYOWA CHRISTOPHER, The Resurgence of Military Coups in West-Africa States: The Case of Niger Republic and Its Implications on Peace, Security and Transnational Activities in Nigeria , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 04 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 04
- Garry L. Bastida, Analie B. Nemenzo , Drivers of Entrepreneurial Resilience of Farm Entrepreneurs in Davao Region , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 03 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 03
- Gunes Erbay, NAVIGATING MATHEMATICAL OBSTACLES: EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS' JOURNEY IN OVERCOMING LEARNING CHALLENGES IN MATHEMATICS , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 03 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 03
- Muhammad Shahid, Humera Siddiqui, UNLOCKING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: EXAMINING REWARD MANAGEMENT'S IMPACT ON MOTIVATION AND TURNOVER INTENTIONS , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 09 (2023): Volume 02 Issue 09
- Murad Haider Shaikh, EXPLORING CULTURAL DIMENSIONS IN EFL TEACHING: CHALLENGES, IMPLICATIONS, AND STRATEGIC APPROACHES , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 07 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 07
- Xulong Zhang, Apisak Sukying, The Vocabulary Sizes and Lexical Collocations of University Learners in Thailand. , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 03 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 03
- Xiang Li, PRESERVING HERITAGE: INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL TREASURES OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 05 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 05
- Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu, Theory and Psychometric Development of the Self-Comforting and Coping Scale (SCCS): A Novel Measure of Self-Comforting Behaviors , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 4 No. 03 (2025): Volume 04 Issue 03
Similar Articles
- Anant Pradhan, UNVEILING EDUCATIONAL INVESTMENT PATTERNS: UNDERSTANDING FACTORS INFLUENCING FAMILY EXPENDITURE IN INDIA , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 04 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 04
- Khuan Huda, INTERCONTINENTAL INSIGHT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 08 (2023): Volume 02 Issue 08
- Alimova Mukhiba Muzaffarovna, Traditional Beliefs Of Turkic Peoples And Their Influence On The National Culture Of Uzbekistan , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 5 No. 02 (2026): Volume 05 Issue 02
- Michael Sembiring, THEMES IN MABA MANUK MBUR NARRATIVES OF KARONESE SOCIETY , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 08 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 08
- Makhosini, CHALLENGES AND RISKS OF INTER-DENOMINATIONAL CONFLICT: YOUNG CHRISTIAN ADULTS AND THEIR CHOICES OF LIFE PARTNERS , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 08 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 08
- Afolabi Dare Williams, ASSESSING CAPITAL ADEQUACY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 03 (2023): Volume 02 Issue 03
- Omotolani Sunday Inyokwe, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ITS IMPACT ON PENSION FUND SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 10 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 10
- Xiaodan Wang, Book Review: "Educational Processes, Decisions, and the Development of Competencies from Early Preschool Age to Adolescence" , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 08 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 08
- Radhika Sharma, SOVEREIGNTY AND SPLENDOR: THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD OF THE KACHHAWA KINGS OF JAIPUR , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 11 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 11
- Zhijun Meng, Shanyong Jang, FROM DOCUMENTARIES TO SHORT VIDEOS: THE EVOLUTION OF "STREET INTERVIEWS" , Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 3 No. 11 (2024): Volume 03 Issue 11
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.