Public Perceptions Towards Online Health Information: A Mixed-Method Study in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Online health disinformation is one of the key challenges faced globally. Although there are efforts to address this issue, most of the proposed solutions were ineffective or could not address it effectively. One of the key reasons for the ineffective solutions is lack of understanding on how public deal with disinformation and the different areas that could be influenced by health disinformation. PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the public perceptions towards online health information, investigate the impact of online health disinformation, and propose a framework for addressing the issue of online health disinformation. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach design is used in this study which includes a cross-sectional survey design to gather data from public; and a semi-structured interviews approach with healthcare experts to analyze the impact of online health disinformation on the society. A total of 409 Saudi residents were included for survey, and 22 health informatics experts were considered for interviews. RESULTS: The results revealed low digital literacy levels and poor critical analysis skills among the public resulting in poor management of health disinformation. Age and education can influence the users’ perceptions about the use of various online health information evaluation techniques. Thematic analysis of the interviews identified impact in four areas including social, economic, technical, and legal fronts; and various strategies were identified for public, governments, and healthcare institutions for managing the online health disinformation. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of online health-related disinformation in Saudi Arabia is high, and there is a need to implement strict regulatory framework for managing disinformation.