The Impact of Online Health Information Seeking Behavior on Self-Medication Practices Among Young Adults

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Online Health Information Seeking Behavior (OHISB) on self-medication practices among young adults, aiming to explore how digital information influences health-related decision-making and medication use. A qualitative approach with a phenomenological design was employed to capture the lived experiences and subjective interpretations of participants, as this design enables an in-depth understanding of behavioral and cognitive processes underlying self-medication. The research was conducted in Surabaya, Indonesia, an urban setting characterized by high internet penetration and diverse access to healthcare services. A total of fifteen informants, consisting of young adults actively engaging in online health information seeking, were purposively selected to ensure relevance and richness of data. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that OHISB significantly shapes self-medication practices through perceived information credibility, social influence, and confidence in self-diagnosis, while also exposing individuals to risks associated with misinformation and inappropriate drug use. The study recommends strengthening digital health literacy, enhancing regulation of online health content, and promoting collaboration between healthcare providers and digital platforms to ensure safe and informed health practices.