Abstract
Background: With the increasing use of the Internet in the recent few years, research is now directed to focus on the utilization of internet and different technological methods and its impact on information seeking behavior. However the figures in Saudi Arabia are not clear due to scarcity of data.
Objective: to investigate different aspects of information seeking behavior over different age groups and gender and to determine discrepancy of information seeking behavior among residents of Almaddina Al-monawrah, Saudi Arabia.
Design and Setting: a cross-sectional observational survey study that was carried out in Almaddina Al-monawrah, Saudi Arabia using an online self-developed questionnaire that was distributed, via link to Google forms to the general public. All citizens and residents in Almaddina Al-monawrah aging from 15 years old and above were included in this study. Only completed surveys were included in the analysis
Statistical analysis: Data were represented in the form of frequencies (number of responders) and valid percentages for categorical variables. Chi square test was used to compare between different subgroups. All P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: 363 participants from Almadinah Almunawarah completed the survey. The most prevalent responders were from age group between 31 to 40 years old with 28.1% of responses. Also females represented higher number of participants in the study with 72.5% participation. Most of the responders (60.3%) had university degree. Health care professionals were the most common source of information followed by internet for both previous and current resources used.
Conclusion: Internet is a major source of medical information in Almadinah Almunawarah. Information provided through the internet can influence medical decisions done by citizens. Further studies in other regions in Saudi Arabia are essential to give complete figure for this behavior all over the kingdom.