USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SEEKING HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION AMONG CARDIAC PATIENTS.

J Peop Univ Med Health Sci. 2025:15(3), 139-143. http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2025/15.03.669

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of social media for seeking health-related information among
cardiac patients has gained significant attention, particularly as digital platforms have
transformed how individuals access and share health information. This article explores the
multifaceted role of social media in facilitating health information seeking behavior,
especially in the context of cardiovascular health. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, the aim of this
study was to determine prevalence of use of social meid in patients with ischemic heart doses
who underwent intervention. METHODS: This study was conducted at Larkana Satellite
Center of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Pakistan from November
2024 to April 2025. Patients who underwent cardiac Intervention within one month were
enrolled in this study. Patients were interviewed regarding their Basic demographics,
profession, level of education. Patients were interviewed to determine frequency of use of
social media, type of social media, and duration of social media. They were also asked what
type of content they seek on social media. RESULTS: A total of 253 patients were included
in this study out of which 162(68.9%) were males and 73(31.15%) were females. 182 (77.4
%) were Sindhi speaking while remaining were siraiki, balochi, Brohi Urdu and others. 121
(51.5%) were not educated. Almost 80 (34%) used one or other form of social media. 75
(31.9%) used Facebook. 37 (15.7%) used YouTube. Among them only 7 (3%) use social
media for health related material. CONCLUSION: social media use is common in patient
with cardiac disease. But very few use this medium for seeking health related information.