Role of Social Network on Health Information-Seeking Behaviour Among Youth in Bangladesh

Background: Access to accurate and targeted health information is a rising concern globally, essential for ensuring efficient delivery of healthcare services. Social media represents a relatively new channel for delivering healthcare information. Objective: Drawing upon social network theory, this paper investigates social networks to understand their role in health information-seeking behaviour and differences between demographic groups.

Methods: This study leveraged online platforms to conduct a nationwide cross-sectional survey from May to June 2020. A multistage stratified snowball sampling method was employed to collect data and relevant information. Specifically, individuals who met the criteria of being Bangladeshi citizens over 18 years and having online access were chosen for participation. A total of 412 data was obtained for this study using a semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis included descriptive statistics and a chi-square test.

Results: This study finds that both formal and informal social networks in real life play influential roles in seeking health information. Although they have access extensive virtual social networks, respondents still prefer real-world modes of communication, such as face-to-face, for obtaining information about health issues.

Conclusions: Overall, the study highlights the importance of understanding social networks to develop effective policies and awareness programs. By examining the structure of these networks, the study provides valuable insights into the informal referral system in the healthcare sector, which can help improve health information dissemination.