Evaluating the credibility of digital health information on antibiotics: A user perspective

With digital platforms increasingly serving as primary sources of health information, assessing the credibility ofonline antibiotic-related content is imperative. This study evaluated user perspectives on the reliability and trustworthiness ofdigital health information concerning antibiotics. Amidst escalating concerns about antibiotic resistance and the misuse ofantibiotics, accurate information dissemination is crucial. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, a structured online questionnairewas administered to 1,149 respondents to assess perceptions of credibility, trust, and information-seeking behaviors acrossvarious digital platforms, including social media, health websites, and forums. The findings revealed that source and authorcredibility (β=0.35, p<0.001) and user-driven credibility indicators (β=0.22, p<0.001) were significant predictors of trust inprofessional health information, collectively accounting for 26.5% of the variance. Additionally, higher education levels(β=0.10, p=0.02) and increased confidence in identifying credible information (β=0.18, p<0.001) were associated with greatertrust. Factor analysis identified two key dimensions of credibility assessment: Source and Author Credibility, and User-DrivenCredibility Indicators. The mediation analysis indicated that confidence partially mediated the relationship between sourcecredibility and trust (β=0.15, 95% CI [0.10, 0.21]). These results highlight the importance of both authoritative sources anduser engagement in fostering trust in digital health information. The study provides actionable insights for healthcareproviders, policymakers, and digital stakeholders to enhance the dissemination of reliable antibiotic information and combatantibiotic resistance effectively.