Understanding Health Information Seeking Behaviours Across Educational Status: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Rapid advances in healthcare and information technology have transformed the way people access health information. Health information-seeking behaviour (HISB) plays a vital role in improving health literacy, supporting informed decision-making, and promoting appropriate healthcare utilization. Educational attainment is an important determinant of an individual's ability to obtain, understand, and use health information effectively.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess health information-seeking behaviours among adults with different educational levels in Dhaka South City and examine the influence of educational status on preferred sources of health information.

Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Dhaka South City from January to December 2022 among 250 adults. Participants were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, educational status, and preferred sources of health information was obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and findings were presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations where appropriate.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 34.78 years. Most participants were male (58.8%), while 41.2% were female. More than two-thirds (68.4%) were born in urban areas, and over half (56.0%) had been delivered at home. Regarding educational attainment, 13.2% were illiterate, whereas 23.2% had completed graduation or higher education. Distinct differences in health information-seeking behaviour were observed across educational groups. Illiterate respondents predominantly relied on pharmacies (39.4%) and government hospitals (33.3%) for obtaining health information, indicating greater dependence on easily accessible healthcare sources. In contrast, participants with higher educational attainment were more likely to seek health information from qualified general physicians, accounting for 27.1% of respondents with higher secondary education and 39.7% of those with graduation or higher. These findings demonstrate a positive relationship between educational level and preference for professional healthcare providers as trusted sources of health information.

Conclusion: Educational status significantly influences health information-seeking behaviour among adults in Dhaka South City, highlighting the need for targeted health education, improved access to reliable health information.

Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, July 2025;11(2):132-137