Dataset Information

Fitness information-seeking behavior among female university students: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT: Obsession with the physique and appearance is a by-product of consumer societies. As such, fitness and slimming have now become major concerns of Iranian females. This study endeavors to elaborate on information-seeking behaviors among female students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences concerning fitness. This study conducted in 2018, employs a qualitative approach using conventional content analysis. The research population includes female students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 16 of whom were selected with use of purposive sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and their trustworthiness was confirmed by the criteria of 'credibility', 'confirmability', 'dependability', and 'transferability' proposed by Guba and Lincoln. Results reveal four sub-categories and nineteen codes on information-seeking behavior. Sub-categories and codes including information-seeking motivations (achieving physical health, physical appearance, social acceptability, self-confidence, family and friends' pressure) information resources (electronic information resources, social media, printed information resources, doctors and nutritionists, family and friends, traditional & Islamic medicine, radio and TV), information validation (asking the doctors and specialists, matching the information with scientific references, consulting with friends and relatives) and obstacles to seeking information (lack of time, high costs, distrust, access limitation). by increasing the students' informational and media literacy, providing authentic and low-cost online resources of information and specialized TV programs, the damages rooted in using invalid information resources concerning fitness can be substantially diminished.

SUBMITTER: Jalali S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7430743 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Fitness information-seeking behavior among female university students: A qualitative study.

Jalali Soraya S Keshvari Mahrokh M Soleymani Mohammad Reza MR

PloS one 20200817 8

Obsession with the physique and appearance is a by-product of consumer societies. As such, fitness and slimming have now become major concerns of Iranian females. This study endeavors to elaborate on information-seeking behaviors among female students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences concerning fitness. This study conducted in 2018, employs a qualitative approach using conventional content analysis. The research population includes female students of Isfahan University of Medical Scienc ...[more]

PMID: 32804937

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Project description:BackgroundOwing to the revolution in technology, the internet has become an important aspect of people's lives. Modern technology is enabling people from diverse educational backgrounds to use the internet for several purposes, one of which is health information seeking. Recently, Web-based health information has become more popular among patients all over the world and among the general public.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the use of Web-based health resources among undergraduate students from different faculties at Kuwait University.MethodsThe study employed a cross-sectional design with students selected from 8 faculties of Kuwait University, 4 faculties of Literature and 4 faculties of Science. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and analysis was done using a chi-square test and binary logistic regression to determine the factors associated with seeking health information on the Web.ResultsThe sample size obtained was 1132 with a response rate of 90.27% (1132/1254). Overall, the prevalence of students seeking Web-based health information was 92.66%. (1049/1132) The most significant factors associated with seeking health information on the Web were age, gender, faculty, year of study, primary source of internet, and level of experience with internet use. In total, 90.0% (325/361) of students who were aged older than 21 years used Web-based health information compared with 82.8% (275/332) of those who were aged 18 years. In addition, female students showed a higher prevalence (829/934, 88.8%) of Web-based health information seeking than males (210/270, 77.8%). Students who majored in faculties of Science were more likely to seek health information than those who majored in faculties of Literature. All the differences found in the study were statistically significant (P<.05).ConclusionsThe study concluded that many people use the internet for seeking health information. Sociodemographic factors have a significant association with Web-based health information seeking. Therefore, doctors must educate the public about the health information websites that can be trusted.

Project description:BackgroundNutrition information-seeking behavior is highly prevalent even though it can be challenging to find reliable nutrition information in the current media landscape. Previous quantitative research has identified which population segments use which sources, yet little is known about motivations underpinning nutrition information-seeking behavior. Understanding motivations for seeking nutrition information can increase the efficacy of future nutrition education efforts. The present study aims to identify motivations for nutrition information-seeking behavior among Belgian adults.MethodsIn-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 adults (n women = 15, n men = 4, n other = 1). Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed in NVivo 12 using inductive thematic analysis. The coding process involved open and axial coding combined with constant comparison to identify themes.ResultsThe interviews revealed a diverse spectrum of motivations for nutrition information-seeking behavior. Five categories of motivations centered on health management, cognitive needs, affective needs, social integrative needs, and personal identity. Participants indicated seeking nutrition information to regain a sense of control over their health and it also helped them express their autonomy. Additionally, participants sought nutrition information out of curiosity or out of a long-standing interest. Nutrition information-seeking was also used as a form of emotion regulation with participants actively engaging in seeking behavior to pursue enjoyment, diversion, confirmation, inspiration, and even relaxation. Furthermore, nutrition information-seeking enabled participants to meet social integrative needs by helping them connect to others, gather social support, help others, and sometimes convince others. Lastly, participants indicated a need for nutrition information to express or defend their identity.ConclusionsOur results indicate that beneath the surface of a more apparent need for nutrition information lies a range of motivations demonstrating that nutrition information serves more complex needs than simply information needs. To improve the efficacy of future nutrition education efforts, communication strategies must be tailored to a diverse range of motivations.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Although searching for health information on the internet has offered clear benefits of rapid access to information for seekers such as patients, medical practitioners, and students, detrimental effects on seekers' experiences have also been documented. Health information overload is one such side effect, where an information seeker receives excessive volumes of potentially useful health-related messages that cannot be processed in a timely manner. This phenomenon has been documented among medical professionals, with consequences that include impacts on patient care. Presently, the use of the internet for health-related information, and particularly animal health information, in veterinary students has received far less research attention. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to explore veterinary students' internet search experiences to understand how students perceived the nature of Web-based information and how these perceptions influence their information management. METHODS:For this qualitative exploratory study, 5 separate focus groups and a single interview were conducted between June and October 2016 with a sample of 21 veterinary students in Ontario, Canada. RESULTS:Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts demonstrated one overarching theme, The Overwhelming Nature of the Internet, depicted by two subthemes: Volume and Type of Web-based Health Information and Processing, Managing, and Evaluating Information. CONCLUSIONS:Integrating electronic health information literacy training into human health sciences students' training has shown to have positive effects on information management skills. Given a recent Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges report that considers health literacy as a professional competency, results of this study point to a direction for future research and for institutions to contemplate integrating information literacy skills in veterinary curricula. Specifically, we propose that the information literacy skills should include knowledge about access, retrieval, evaluation, and timely application of Web-based information.

Project description:ObjectiveTo explore university students' experience of retention and identify potential barriers and facilitators to long-term adherence.DesignCross-sectional qualitative study using virtual focus groups.SettingUniversity of Leeds.ParticipantsDental and non-dental students from the University of Leeds, who had previously undergone orthodontic treatment and had received removable retainers.MethodsStudents were invited to participate via email. Virtual focus groups were undertaken using Microsoft Teams. A topic guide was used to explore the experience of orthodontic retention including factors that influence long-term retainer wear. Focus groups were recorded and analysed using an inductive thematic approach.ResultsIn total, 23 students participated in four focus groups, including 13 dental students. The period since the end of orthodontic treatment varied from 9 months to 10 years. Of the 23 participants, 8 (35%) were no longer wearing their retainers. Four themes were identified: (1) experience of orthodontic treatment including knowledge of relapse; (2) experience of retainer wear, including motivators and barriers; (3) role of others; and (4) increasing adherence. Key factors influencing use of retainers were the importance placed on maintaining treatment outcomes, awareness of unwanted tooth movement and understanding of the role of the retainer, access to replacement retainers, and ongoing support to encourage retainer wear. Greater knowledge and dental awareness reported by dental students did not necessarily increase adherence.ConclusionAdherence to removable retainer wear is an important aspect of orthodontic treatment but it is recognised that long-term retainer wear is highly variable. The understanding of relapse and retention is variable. Challenges in gaining access to replacement retainers are a common cause of cessation of retainer wear. Dental professionals are perceived to be important in encouraging and supporting retainer wear and individuals reported they would like more follow-up.

Dataset Information

Fitness information-seeking behavior among female university students: A qualitative study.

Publications

Fitness information-seeking behavior among female university students: A qualitative study.

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