Assessment of the quality and content of website health information about herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality, readability and coverage of website information about herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms.


METHODS
A purposive sample of commercial and non-commercial websites was assessed for quality (DISCERN), readability (SMOG) and information coverage.


METHODS
Non-parametric and parametric tests were used to explain the variability of these factors across types of websites and to assess associations between website quality and information coverage.


RESULTS
39 sites were assessed. Median quality and information coverage scores were 44/80 and 11/30 respectively. The median readability score was 18.7, similar to UK broadsheets. Commercial websites scored significantly lower on quality (p=0.014), but there were no statistical differences for information coverage or readability. There was a significant positive correlation between information quality and coverage scores irrespective of website provider (r=0.69, p<0.001, n=39).


CONCLUSIONS
Overall website quality and information coverage are poor and the required reading level high.
School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, UK. Electronic address: j.r.sowter@bradford.ac.uk.
Julie
J
Sowter
School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, UK.
Felicity
F
Astin
School of Psychology, University of Leeds, UK.
Louise
L
Dye
School of Health, University of Leeds, UK.
Paul
P
Marshall
Dept. of Health Sciences, University of York, UK.
Peter
P
Knapp
D032882:Comprehension; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy
Health information; Herbal remedies; Internet; Menopause; World Wide Web