Usage of social media for health awareness purposes among health educators and students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background Health educators and students have used social media to disseminate health information, develop strategies to increase public health awareness, and educate the population on health-related issues. Purpose This study aimed to describe the usage of social media for health awareness purposes among health educators and students in Saudi Arabia. Method ology: A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the usage of social media for health awareness among health educators and students in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was initially sent to 450 health educators and students through WhatsApp groups. 107 participants were included. The response rate was 25.6%. Results 99% of the participants used the following social media for general purposes: WhatsApp (88%), Snapchat (80%), Twitter (78%), Instagram (71%), Telegram (11%), Facebook (2%), LinkedIn (1%), and YouTube (1%). 59% of the respondents utilized these platforms for health awareness purposes: WhatsApp (15%), Snapchat (3%), Twitter (36%), Instagram (1%), Telegram (1%), Facebook (0%), LinkedIn (1%), and YouTube (0%). More than half of the participants thought that the use of social networks was very important to increase community health awareness, facilitate access to the public, increase the Arabic health content, and correct false information. 41% of the respondents did not utilize social media for health awareness because they did not trust online health information. Conclusion The use of social media by health educators and students revealed that more than half of the participants used these platforms for health awareness purposes in Saudi Arabia. They believed that these networks were important tools to spread knowledge, raise awareness, and improve health habits. The results of this research can help health educators and students to use social media appropriately to educate the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on how to promote public health and manage the burden of diseases that affect them.