Abstract
The quality of information available on health Web sites in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has not been comprehensively assessed. From November to December 2012, the authors retrieved all functional health-related Web sites originating in GCC countries. Data on authorship, language, date, information content and type of site were recorded. A novel Web site checklist was developed based on the credibility and trust criteria of the Internet assessment organization Health On the Net Foundation (HON). Only 5 sites fulfilled all checklist categories. All Web sites except one were in English or Arabic languages. Only 10.1% of Web sites posted a privacy policy, 2.7% stated the authorship of information, 51.0% disclosed Web site ownership, 80.6% provided contact details and 58.5% dated information. Only 1.7% reported their advertising policy and 23.5% revealed sponsorships. GCC health Web site owners should consider working with the HON or similar organizations to meet internationally recognized credibility criteria.