Influence of the Internet on Health Seeking Behaviors of Youths in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Adeosun, Foluke Odunayo and Folayan, Opeoluwa Florence (2019) Influence of the Internet on Health Seeking Behaviors of Youths in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Social Sciences, 8 (5). pp. 1-7. ISSN Print: 2326-9863, Online: 2326-988X

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Abstract

The use of online resources to locate health-related information is known to be increasing among Nigeria youths; sadly, not enough studies that investigates the influence of the internet on health seeking behaviors of Nigeria youths have been done. This study therefore investigates the influence of the internet on health seeking behaviors of youths in Ekiti-state, Nigeria, examines the extent to which the internet provides answers to health related questions among the youths, determines the perception of Nigeria youths on internet’s influence on health seeking among them, and ultimately, this study finds out whether the use of internet increases or decreases self-medication among Nigerian youths. A standardized nine-question survey on Internet use and health seeking behavior was given to 300 youths. A review of the literature is also included. It was discovered that out of 300 responses received, 203 youths (67.7%) reported ever consulting the internet to find health information. 194 (64.6%) youths consult the internet for answers to health problems before thinking of consulting a doctor or a caregiver. A large number of the youths (93.1%) follow the online physician advice more closely by practicing self-medication. A total of 191 (94%) youths submitted that the internet influences their behavior of health seeking. Conclusively, the tests of hypothesis show a significant relationship between the use of internet and health seeking behaviors of youths also between the use of internet and self-medication among youths in Ekiti- State, Nigeria.

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