title: Media use for seeking health/cancer-related information: findings from knowledge, attitudes and practices towards cancer prevention and care survey in Jordan.
abstract: Understanding of public health/cancer information-seeking behaviour could play key role in promoting health behaviour and reducing cancer burden. In the current study, data from 'Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices toward Cancer Prevention and Care Survey in Jordan' were used. A total of 3196 participants (18 years and older) were included in the study. The results indicated that 82% (n = 2609) of the participants had never looked for health/cancer information from any sources. The majority of those surveyed (97%) reported watching TV habitually, whereby 948 participants (26%) indicated that they watched health information on the local/satellite TV channels, whereas 1603 (45%) reported doing so on non-local/satellite TV channels. Internet was the most searched source for information (36%); however, it is one of least preferred sources. Health-care providers are the most preferred source for cancer-related information, followed by TV and someone with cancer. The majority of participants (82%; n = 489) indicated the absence of barriers in seeking information about cancer. The results suggest that although the Jordanian public use of different media and channels for seeking health/cancer-related information, health-care providers and TV might be effective tools for health education. In addition, joint efforts must be established to initiate awareness programmes at the local and regional levels.
authors.affiliation: Adult Health Department/Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Laila M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Akhu-Zaheya
authors.forename: Madi T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Jagbir
authors.forename: Areej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Othman
authors.forename: Mamoun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahram
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cancer; health information; media; seeking behaviour