Awareness and use of online health information sites in the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of postgraduate students in a Nigerian Theological Seminary

Abstract

The Internet has drastically improved access to health information for personal health care management causing a shift from traditional health information sources to online sources. Moreso the COVID-19 pandemic made many people adopt the use of online sources for health information and management. This study investigated the awareness and use of online health information sites (OHIS) by postgraduate students in the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted. Total enumeration was used because of the small population of respondents. Findings revealed that the students had several health information needs, but there was a low level of awareness of OHIS, as well as the use of OHIS amongst them. A high percentage did not use OHIS due to some reasons. Health information needs, awareness of OHIS, perceived usefulness of information from OHIS, perceived ease of using OHIS, and trust in OHIS are factors that influenced the use of OHIS by the students. A high percentage intended to continue using OHIS, while the non-user had the intention of using the sites in the future. The study concluded that there was a low level of awareness and use of OHIS by postgraduate students in the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. In addition, health information needs, awareness of OHIS, perceived usefulness of information from OHIS, perceived ease of using OHIS, and trust in OHIS are factors that influenced the use of OHIS by the students. These factors should be leveraged to promote the use and continuous use of OHIS.