title: Typology and credibility of Internet health websites originating from Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
abstract: The quality of information available on health websites in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has not been comprehensively assessed. From November to December 2012 we retrieved all functional health-related websites (n = 925) originating in GCC countries. Data on authorship, language, date, information content and type of site were recorded. A novel website checklist was developed based on the credibility and trust criteria of the Internet assessment organization Health On the Net Foundation (HON). Only 5 sites (0.5%) fulfilled all checklist categories. All websites except one were in English or Arabic languages. Only 10.1% of websites posted a privacy policy, 2.7% stated the authorship of information, 51.0% disclosed website ownership, 80.6% provided contact details and 58.5% dated information. Only 1.7% reported their advertising policy and 23.5% revealed sponsorships. GCC health website owners should consider working with the HON or similar organizations to meet internationally recognized credibility criteria.
authors: Premedical Department, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors: A S
authors: AS
authors: Weber
authors: Director of Primary Care (Family Medicine), Department of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Verjee
authors: Premedical Department, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors: Z H
authors: ZH
authors: Rahman
authors: Premedical Department, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Ameerudeen
authors: Premedical Department, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Al-Baz
mesh_terms: D057189:Checklist; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000592:standards*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*; D008877:Middle East