In:
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI AG, Vol. 20, No. 3 ( 2023-01-31), p. 2611-
Abstract:
Gender appears to be a strong predictor of online health information-seeking behaviour (OHISB), which is related to Digital Health Literacy (DHL). Gender differences in OHISB have been studied in different countries with different results, but no studies have investigated gender-specific OHISB among University students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to investigate any gender differences in OHISB in the period between the first and second waves of the pandemic in Italian university students. A questionnaire developed by the global COVID-HL network, including existing and adapted validated scales and self-developed scales, was administered to 2996 University students in Florence. Gender differences were tested using the χ2 test or the Mann–Whitney U test. Male students reported a higher score in DHL than females (p 〈 0.001). However, female students seek COVID-19 information more often on different sources (for themselves and other people), on various topics, consider various aspects of information quality to be “very important’’ (p 〈 0.05) and are more likely to be “often dissatisfied’’ or ”partly satisfied’’ with information (p 〈 0.001). Our study confirmed gender as an important dimension to explain students’ OHISB differences, which could help institutions promote gender-specific education programmes and provide gender-oriented health information.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1660-4601
DOI:
10.3390/ijerph20032611
Language:
English
Publisher:
MDPI AG
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2175195-X