Abstract

Major social networking platforms, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter, have become popular means through which people share health-related information. The authenticity of these messages was often left unchecked. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of social networking platform usage and to access the impact caused by social networking platform on health seeking behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done among people who were using social networking platform (Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter) residing at Naravarikuppam between September 2019- November 2019 were included. A pretested questionnaire was designed to assess the type of social media platforms people used and whether information received on these platforms influenced their health care decisions. Results: We observed 30% of the study population are using social media and 28.7% are using whatsapp,18.7% are using facebook,2% are using twitter. Among the study population who are using social media 88.9% are receiving health related message through whatsapp and 48.9% are receiving through facebook. There is no much impact of social media on health seeking behaviour. Conclusion: Newer technologies continue to evolve rapidly, we must equipped to face the challenges it brings with it. People should be educated to review all health related message skeptically as the interpretation of message on social media may be difficult, confusing and may not be fully comphrended.

Description