Article Sidebar
Published:
Sep 10, 2014Keywords:
Article Details
Submission of a manuscript to this journal is a representation that the manuscript has not been published previously and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
All authors named in each manuscript would be required to sign a form (to be supplied by the Editor) so that they may retain their copyright in the article but to assign to us (the Publishers) and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats and media (whether known or created in the future) to (i) publish, reproduce, distribute, display and store the contribution, (ii) translate the contribution into other languages, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections and create summaries, extracts and/or abstracts of the contribution, (iii) create any other derivative works(s) based on the contribution, (iv) to exploit all subsidiary rights in the contribution, (v) the inclusion of electronic links from the contribution to third party material where-ever it may be located, and (vi) license any thrid party to do any or all of the above.
Main Article Content
Survey of Internet Use as a Source of Health-Related Information in Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Purpose: To estimate the proportion of patients in Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia, who use the Internet to search for health-related information, determine barriers to Internet use, and investigate the relationship between Internet use and socio-demographic variables.
Methods: A total of 377 questionnaires were distributed to five main hospitals in Qassim Province (Saudi Arabia). The patients were randomly selected to complete the survey when they arrived to fill their pharmacy prescription. The survey was explained to the patients, and they were given the option to participate or decline.
Results: Fifteen percent of the respondents used the Internet as a source of health-related information, especially disease-specific information (97.7 %). Thirty percent used the Internet after a recommendation from their health-care provider. The highest proportions of respondents indicated that
lack of training and the cost of Internet access were major barriers to Internet use. There was a significant association between Internet use and education level (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: Compared with published data for Qassim City, Saudi Arabia, Internet use to obtain health-related information is relatively low in the Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia. Lack of training is the most common barrier.
Keywords: Health information, Barriers, Internet use, Patient and internet, Saudi Arabia
