ASSESSMENT OF INTERNET USE FOR SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG ADULTS (18-65) IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE
Abstract
Internet is defined as a global broadcasting capability, a system for information broadcasting, and a means for interaction and collaboration between individuals and their communication devices irrespective of their geographical location. Health seeking behaviour refers to the actions taken by individuals to prevent, diagnose, and treat health problems as well as to promote overall well-being.
There are limited studies to determine the factors contributing to use of internet for health seeking behavior, especially in the northern part of the country and limited study was done in Borno state hence the need for this study. Due to paucity of in the northern states, this study will prompt the needed research; public health policy changes towards internet use for health information seeking behaviour. The general objectives of this study is to access the use of internet for health seeking behaviour among adults in Maiduguri.
A structured sampling method was carried out using interview administered questionnaire. Five hundred interview-based questionnaires were administered over the period of two weeks. The data obtained was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 27, 2020 Edition.
The results showed that the age group 18 to 27 has the highest number of respondents with the total of 298. Out of 500 questionnaires administered, 367 (80.5%) used internet for health seeking behaviour. About 194 of the respondents uses Google the most for health seeking. Out of 500 respondents 279 (75.9%) search for symptoms and medical conditions and most use the internet for its trust and reliability, confidentiality, time efficiency, relative cheapness, easy accessibility, and broad view of information.
Borno state and Federal government should create awareness regarding side effects of wrong diagnosis through media and adopt healthcare in danger initiative to improve good relationship between healthcare workers and their clients. This will immensely reduce the dependence on internet for health seeking behaviour.
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.