Online STI information seeking behaviour and condom use intentions among young Facebook users in Malaysia

Information seeking behavior on hepatitis B virus, and its associated factors among pregnant women at teaching and specialized hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major public health issue worldwide. Health information-seeking behavior is critical to obtain information about health, diseases such as the Hepatitis B virus, health risks, and health promotion and it has become a major concern of health policymakers. However, there is little evidence of information-seeking behavior on the Hepatitis B virus in Ethiopia. So, this study aimed to assess Hepatitis B virus information-seeking behavior and its associated factors among pregnant women at teaching and Specialized Hospitals, in Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women at teaching and specialized hospitals, in Northwest Ethiopia from May 01 to June 01, 2022. A total of 423 participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. The data was collected through an interview-administered questionnaire by kobo-collect software. Then export into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bi-variable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with Hepatitis B virus information-seeking behavior.

RESULTS

The proportion of information-seeking behavior on the Hepatitis B virus among pregnant women was 40.5% (CI = 35.7, 45.6). Education(diploma and above) [AOR = 3.3, 95% CI (1.31, 8.16)], more than one ANC visit [AOR = 5.99, 95% CI (3.20, 12.31)], smart-phone ownership [AOR = 4.1, 95%CI (1.35, 12.31)], internet access [AOR = 5.1, 95%CI (1.35, 15.60)], perceived susceptibility [AOR = 2.7, 95%CI (1.38, 5.31)], perceived severity [AOR = 3.7, 95%CI (2.06, 6.55)], and self-efficacy [AOR = 1.9, 95%CI (1.03, 3.73)] were factors influencing information seeking on Hepatitis B virus.

CONCLUSION

The overall proportion of information-seeking behavior on HBV among pregnant women was low. To improve information-seeking behavior on HBV among pregnant women we should connect the women to the internet and technology. Creating women's awareness about the Hepatitis B virus severity and their venerability and increasing their antenatal care (ANC) visits, self-efficacy, internet access, and women's education can improve information seeking about the Hepatitis B virus.

The moderating influence of celebrity endorsement on intention to engage in infection prevention behaviours

Although the use of celebrities for communication within social marketing to influence voluntary behaviour change has received significant attention, its application to promote infection preventive behaviours, such as frequent handwashing with soap, has received limited attention. Using the health belief model (HBM), the study examined the moderating effect of celebrity endorsement (CE) on the relationship between the predictors of HBM such as perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy and target audiences' intention to avoid handshaking, frequently wash hands with soap and cover mouth with an elbow when coughing. Data from 562 respondents were analysed using PLS-SEM. The result shows that CE significantly moderate the relationship between target audiences' perception of severity, susceptibility, self-efficacy and cues to action and intention to perform the recommended infection preventive behaviours. Thus, when a celebrity is employed as a conduit for delivering a social marketing message, particularly about infection preventive behaviour, target audiences are more likely to take action to perform the recommended behaviour. Theoretically, the study shows that although the HBM has been extensively applied to explain health-related behaviours, using celebrities to endorse the various constructs of the HBM significantly enhances the predictive ability of the model.

An International Systematic Review Concerning the Effect of Social Media Exposure on Public Compliance with Infection Prevention and Control Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background

Effective health communication is crucial for achieving positive population health outcomes. This is important for infection prevention and control (IPC), which relies on widespread public compliance to be effective. Whilst social media (SM) platforms disseminate health information, there is conflicting evidence to suggest their influence on compliance with public health guidelines.

Objective

To appraise the available evidence and determine the extent to which social media exposure contributes to public compliance with IPC measures.

Methods

A systematic protocol based on the MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines was followed. Observational studies were identified through systematic searches of four electronic databases and a hand search. Following data extraction, eligible studies were quality assessed, and the findings were integrated using narrative synthesis.

Findings

15 studies were included. The studies located presented heterogeneous designs and findings. A weak positive association was identified, with 60% of the studies observing a positive association between social media and compliance with IPC measures. 26.7% identified a negative correlation, and 13.3% identified no correlation. Several factors were identified to mediate the relationship, including knowledge and conspiracy beliefs.

Discussion

This systematic review identified a weak positive correlation between exposure to social media and public compliance with recommended IPC measures, suggesting that social media should be utilised in future IPC related communication strategies. Social media provides a cost-effective, publicly accessible platform to disseminate accurate information, and neutralise misinformation. Recommendations are made for further research to reduce the uncertainty created by the identification of heterogenous studies.

Difference in the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Only-Child Students and Students With Siblings, According to Sex and Region: Findings From the National College Student Survey

Objective

The differences in sexual knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, seeking behaviors for sex-related knowledge, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes among only-child students and students with siblings in China, was examined for sex- and region- specific effects.

Research Design and Methods

Data on 49,569 students from the 2019 National College Student Survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health, conducted across 31 provinces in mainland China was utilized. Multivariable regression and stratified analyses were employed to analyze the differences in sexual and reproductive health between only-child students and students with siblings.

Results

Only-child students reported higher sexual knowledge, more liberal sexual attitudes, and fewer adverse SRH outcomes compared to those with siblings. Results were found to be influenced by sex and hometown region after controlling for socio-economic factors, parent-child relationship, and sexuality education.

Conclusions

Female students with siblings who resided in rural regions were more likely to have poorer SRH compared to male only-child students who resided in urban regions. Comprehensive sexual education for students should aim to better include females and students from rural areas both offline and online, and public healthcare should offer subsidized consultations and contraceptives.

Information-seeking behavior on sexually transmitted infections and its associated factors among university students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Background

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections commonly spread through sexual contact and transmitted by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In today’s world, STI-related information-seeking behavior is often vital for the advancement of knowledge, behavioral changes, health decisions, and the sharing of sexual health information among youths. However, paucity of evidence on information-seeking behavior among students in higher education institutions. This study aimed to assess STI-related information-seeking behavior and its associated factors among students at the University of Gondar.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among students at the University of Gondar from January 15 to February 15, 2021. A total of 832 participants were selected using a stratified two-stage sampling method. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the required data. STI information-seeking behavior questionnaire was adapted from health information national survey tool (HINTS). Descriptive statistics, bi-variable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied using SPSS version 26.

Result

The proportion of STI related information-seeking among university students was 462 (55.5%) with 95% CI (52.3, 58.9). About 263 (56.9%) of students preferred internet as a primary source for STI related information. Year of study being 4th (AOR = 4.77, 95% CI = 2.75, 8.29) and 5th year (AOR = 5.45, 95% CI = 2.48, 12.01), field of study being health (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.16, 4.11), sexual experiences (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.56, 3.48), ever had STI symptoms (AOR = 4.19, 95% CI = 2.14, 8.18), perceived susceptibility (AOR = 5.05, 95% CI = 3.29, 7.75), and perceived severity (AOR = 2.16,95% CI = 1.45, 3.22) were significant factors for good STI information-seeking.

Conclusion

the proportion of STI information-seeking among university students was low. Students' STI information-seeking behavior could be improved by increasing digital literacy and enhancing computer and internet access across the campus.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections commonly spread through sexual contact and transmitted by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and are the most common cause of illness among university students. Information-seeking behavior related to STIs is a means by which individuals sought information related to sexual health, disease, health risk, and health promotion. Communicating STIs and sexual risk behaviors during youth, particularly among university students, is effective in reducing STI-related problems. Lack of access to health information, lack of communication, and insufficient information about STIs are key issues that have contributed to the high prevalence of STIs. In Ethiopia, information-seeking behavior related to STIs and information use culture for improving the sexual health of individuals and the communities is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess STI information-seeking behavior and its associated factors among students at the University of Gondar.

More than half of the students sought STI-related information seeking in the past year. From those STI-related information seekers, the majority of students preferred the internet as a primary source for STI-related information. Field of study, year of study, internet access, digital literacy, sexual experiences, had STI symptoms, Perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity of STI were significant factors associated with STI information-seeking. Students' STI information-seeking behavior could be improved by increasing digital literacy and enhancing computer and internet access.

Developing an evidence assessment framework and appraising the academic literature on migrant health in Malaysia: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

A large number of international migrants in Malaysia face challenges in obtaining good health, the extent of which is still relatively unknown. This study aims to map the existing academic literature on migrant health in Malaysia and to provide an overview of the topical coverage, quality and level of evidence of these scientific studies.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted using six databases, including Econlit, Embase, Global Health, Medline, PsycINFO and Social Policy and Practice. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were conducted in Malaysia, peer-reviewed, focused on a health dimension according to the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII) framework, and targeted the vulnerable international migrant population. Data were extracted by using the BARHII framework and a newly developed decision tree to identify the type of study design and corresponding level of evidence. Modified Joanna Briggs Institute checklists were used to assess study quality, and a multiple-correspondence analysis (MCA) was conducted to identify associations between different variables.

RESULTS

67 publications met the selection criteria and were included in the study. The majority (n=41) of studies included foreign workers. Over two-thirds (n=46) focused on disease and injury, and a similar number (n=46) had descriptive designs. The average quality of the papers was low, yet quality differed significantly among them. The MCA showed that high-quality studies were mostly qualitative designs that included refugees and focused on living conditions, while prevalence and analytical cross-sectional studies were mostly of low quality.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an overview of the scientific literature on migrant health in Malaysia published between 1965 and 2019. In general, the quality of these studies is low, and various health dimensions have not been thoroughly researched. Therefore, researchers should address these issues to improve the evidence base to support policy-makers with high-quality evidence for decision-making.

Searching for online health information instead of seeing a physician: a cross-sectional study among high school students in Belgrade, Serbia

OBJECTIVES

Fear of being judged and stigmatized has been reported as barriers for adolescents to timely use healthcare services. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and factors associated with online health information seeking instead of seeing a physician among high school students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out in four out of 21 public high schools in Belgrade, from December 2016 to January 2017 (n = 702, 41.9% males, 15-19 years old). The association of socio-demographic characteristics, digital literacy, interest in health topics and the use of online platforms with health information seeking was analysed using multinomial regression models.

RESULTS

More than half of high school students (56.6%) search for online health information instead of seeking a physician. Being male, having lower-grade point average, attending humanities-languages program, older age at first Internet use, better e-health literacy, use of smartphones, interest in sexually transmitted diseases and mental health, use of websites run by physicians and Youtube was associated with online health information seeking instead of in-person visit to a physician.

CONCLUSIONS

Setting up safe and supportive online platform could help adolescents improve health education. Physicians who see adolescent patients should encourage discussions about sensitive health topics.