Education and Ethics In Nursing ISSN: 2322-5300

Online Health Information Seeking and Association Between Demographic Characteristics Among Pregnant Women in Bojnurd, 2024

10.22034/ethic.2026.2082622.1217
Volume 15, Issue 1
June 2026
Pages 11-21
Education and Ethics In Nursing ISSN: 2322-5300

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Sakineh Nazari 1
Zakieh Keshavarzi 2
Rezvan Rajabzadeh 3
Hamed Sharafi 4
Nazanin Hesari 5
Mobina Hossein Fakhrabadi 6

1 Asistant professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran

2 Professor, Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

4 Medical doctor, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran

5 Instructor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran

6 Instructor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.

Abstract
Background and Objectives: Pregnancy induces extensive changes, generating concerns among mothers, many of whom turn to online sources for health information. This study aimed to determine the status of online health information-seeking behavior and its association with demographic characteristics among pregnant women in Bojnurd, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 243 pregnant women attending health centers in Bojnurd in 2024. Convenience sampling was employed, and data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the standard "Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior in Pregnant Women" questionnaire (33 items across seven dimensions: attitude toward internet use for health information, perceived ease of use, intensity of internet use, and information related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and neonatal care). Its reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha of 0.94, and content validity was assessed by university faculty. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 with independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants was 27.69 years, mean gravidity was 2.08, and mean gestational age was 24.23 weeks. Significant associations were found between online health information-seeking scores and history of illness, maternal and spousal education, family income, and gravidity (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Given the influence of demographic variables on online health information-seeking patterns, prenatal care programs should incorporate introductions to credible online resources and digital literacy training to reduce maternal anxiety and enhance health knowledge.

Keywords

Health information seeking
online
pregnant women
demographic characteristics
Subjects
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