Research: 63% of Saudis are proficient in using search engines for health information

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, the emergence of digital technologies has brought digital health literacy to the forefront.

Digital health literacy encompasses a range of competencies essential for effectively navigating, comprehending, evaluating, and applying health-related information obtained from electronic sources. As healthcare increasingly integrates digital solutions, understanding the intricacies of digital health literacy becomes paramount.

A study has recently concluded exploring digital health literacy in Saudi Arabia and the patterns of online health information seeking among the Saudi population.

Key findings

Analysis indicates that 63% of the population is proficient in using search engines for health information. However, 37% face challenges in formulating precise health-related inquiries. Additionally, the study identified significant variations in digital health literacy across different genders and age groups, with younger participants generally showing higher literacy levels.

• On the effectiveness of health information: 42% of the respondents found online health information effective for personal use, 1% perceived the reliability of online health information as sound, 51.9% found the health information on the internet to be consistent, and 35.9% used online health information for making health-related decisions.
• On the perception: The study revealed insights into how participants perceive online health information: 32.4% (716 individuals) demonstrated their ability to recognize when online health information is commercially driven; 25% (554 individuals) struggled to make this distinction, and a significant 42.6% (942 individuals) were unsure about identifying such commercial motives.
• On finding suitable information: When it comes to using online health information for personal needs, 42% (929 individuals) found it effective, while 23.3% (515 individuals) faced challenges in finding information suitable for their needs. The ambivalence of 34.7% (768 individuals) toward the efficacy of this information points to the need for further analysis in this area.
• On the reliability of health information: Regarding the reliability of online health information, participants' opinions were split: 30.1% (665 individuals) viewed the information as trustworthy, whereas 32.9% (727 individuals) had doubts about its credibility. Notably, 37.1% (820 individuals) remained undecided. Additionally, while more than half of the respondents (51.9% or 1,147 individuals) generally trusted the health information found online, 19.6% (433 individuals) reported encountering inconsistent information, and 28.6% (632 individuals) were unsure of its reliability.
• In terms of decision-making: 35.9% (794 individuals) actively used online health information to make health-related decisions, contrasting with 29.0% (642 individuals) who did not rely on such data. A considerable portion, 35.1% (776 individuals), had not formed a definitive opinion on using online health information for decision-making, highlighting varied confidence levels among users in leveraging digital health resources.
• Health information sources: The survey revealed a diverse range of sources utilized by respondents for health-related information. The predominant sources, as indicated by 48.6% of participants, were search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo, highlighting their central role in information dissemination. Following this, websites of public bodies, including RKI, BZgA, and various ministries of health, were identified as the second most frequented resource, used by 27.7% of respondents.

Methodology

A quantitative research design was adopted for this investigation. Data were collected through online surveys from a diverse cohort of 2,184 Saudi residents- 708 (32%) male and 1,504 (68) female- all above the age of 18.

The age distribution was as follows: 574 respondents (25.9%) were between 18 and 24 years of age, 582 (26.3%) were between 25 and 34, 462 (20.9%) were between 35 and 44, 344 (15.6%) were between 45 and 54, and 218 respondents (9.9%) were above the age of 54 years.

The survey was designed to evaluate the participants' ability to find, understand, and use health information obtained from digital platforms.

Conclusion

The results of the study highlight the critical need for specialized educational initiatives in Saudi Arabia aimed at bolstering digital health literacy. This is particularly essential in bridging the gaps observed in different age groups and between genders.

By enhancing these key competencies, individuals will be able to make well-informed health decisions. Such advancements are instrumental in nurturing a society that is both more informed and proficient in managing health-related information in a digital context.