Influence of online health information and artificial intelligence on decision-making among migraine patients: A multinational cross-sectional study from the MENA region

AimThis study aimed to assess the impact of online health information and AI-based tools on treatment decisions, trust, and care-seeking behaviors among migraine patients in Arab speaking countries from MENA region.MethodsA multinational, cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 4276 adults with migraine across 13 MENA countries. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, migraine history, digital health literacy (eHEALS), AI tool usage, and trust in health information sources.ResultsThe mean eHealth literacy score was 29.9 ± 6.2. Overall, 75.6% demonstrated adequate digital health literacy. Neurologists and physicians were the most trusted sources, whereas social media influencers were the least trusted. Approximately one-third of participants reported modifying migraine treatment or delaying medical consultation based on online information. In multivariable analyses, higher trust in online information was strongly associated with delayed medical consultation (aOR 6.48, 95% CI 5.53-7.58, p < 0.001). In contrast, use of AI tools was associated with lower odds of reporting treatment modification based on online advice (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.17-0.49, p < 0.001). Higher trust in online information was consistently associated with both delayed care and treatment changes. Younger age, male sex, and active online information-seeking independently predicted AI use.ConclusionDigital health engagement, including trust in online sources and AI tool use, was significantly associated with migraine-related decision behaviors in this multinational MENA cohort. While AI use was linked to more cautious treatment behaviors, higher trust in online information was associated with delayed medical consultation and treatment modification. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening digital health literacy and promoting reliable online resources.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cephalalgia
Published
2026-04-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/03331024261435594
Primary Topic
Migraine and Headache Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Influence of online health information and artificial intelligence on decision-making among migraine patients: A multinational cross-sectional study from the MENA region

Moath Abu Ejheisheh, Wael Abdulgader Alwahchi, Ahmad B. Al-Rawashdeh, Nabih Mohammad Lawand et al.
Cephalalgia
Migraine and Headache Studies
article

Influence of online health information and artificial intelligence on decision-making among migraine patients: A multinational cross-sectional study from the MENA region

Moath Abu Ejheisheh, Wael Abdulgader Alwahchi, Ahmad B. Al-Rawashdeh, Nabih Mohammad Lawand, Samia Ibrahim Mabrouk Baraka, Ahmed Khalaf Mekdad, Khulud Ahmad Rezq, Enas Fouad Sayed Mousa, Nagwa Ibrahim Mabrouk Baraka, Majdi Alhadidi, Dalia Abdelfatah, Fatima Hallaj, Adam Khraisat, Nadia Mohamed Ibrahim Wahba, Hosny Maher Sultan, Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz Khalil, Ahmed H. Dahshan, Nawara Khirallah Abd El Fatah, Ali Mohammed Noor, Nada Hweissa, M. Rabie Farrag, Haia Mahdi Hindi Albalawi, Ghada Mohamed Attia Sherif, Basma Salameh, Khulud Mohammad Hashem Mansor, Merghani A. Hussain Abdallah, Hassan Abdullah Ahmed Al Buraiki, Ahmed Awad Osman Mohammed, Ahmed Nouralhadi Ali Ibrahim, Asmaa Hammooz, Karrar Najah Abd Al Jaleel, Samaa Ahmad Akram Al Tabbah, Ali Malik Tiryag, Mohammed Salfeeq H. Alshammari, Taliaa Mohsen Al-Yafeai, Alaeldeen Hakim Mohamed Hakim, Olaa Abdalslam Ibraheem, Lina Ahmed Elmobarak Eltayeb, Nawal Ali Albagoush
article en

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to assess the impact of online health information and AI-based tools on treatment decisions, trust, and care-seeking behaviors among migraine patients in Arab speaking countries from MENA region.MethodsA multinational, cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 4276 adults with migraine across 13 MENA countries. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, migraine history, digital health literacy (eHEALS), AI tool usage, and trust in health information sources.ResultsThe mean eHealth literacy score was 29.9 ± 6.2. Overall, 75.6% demonstrated adequate digital health literacy. Neurologists and physicians were the most trusted sources, whereas social media influencers were the least trusted. Approximately one-third of participants reported modifying migraine treatment or delaying medical consultation based on online information. In multivariable analyses, higher trust in online information was strongly associated with delayed medical consultation (aOR 6.48, 95% CI 5.53-7.58, p < 0.001). In contrast, use of AI tools was associated with lower odds of reporting treatment modification based on online advice (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.17-0.49, p < 0.001). Higher trust in online information was consistently associated with both delayed care and treatment changes. Younger age, male sex, and active online information-seeking independently predicted AI use.ConclusionDigital health engagement, including trust in online sources and AI tool use, was significantly associated with migraine-related decision behaviors in this multinational MENA cohort. While AI use was linked to more cautious treatment behaviors, higher trust in online information was associated with delayed medical consultation and treatment modification. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening digital health literacy and promoting reliable online resources.

CephalalgiaVol. 46(4)
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (JO), Yanbu University College (SA), University of Basrah (IQ), Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (SA), Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan (JO), Cairo University (EG), Deakin University (AU), Zarqa University (JO), Damanhour University (EG), Ajman University (AE), University of Nizwa (OM), Tanta University (EG), Al-Buraimi University College (OM), Tripoli Central Hospital (LY), Cancer Institute (WIA) (IN), Al Zawiya University (LY), Beirut Arab University (LB), Omdurman Islamic University (SD), University of Buraimi (OM), Palestine Ahliya University (PS), University of Al-Qadisiyah (IQ), Sidra Medical and Research Center (QA), Sudan Medical Specialization Board (SD), Ibn Sina Hospital (KW), Ministry of Health (VN), Ministry of Agriculture (PS), Hamad Medical Corporation (QA), Arab American University (PS), Lebanese American University (LB), University of Tabuk (SA), Helwan University (EG), Alexandria University (EG), Port Said University (EG), Ras al-Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University (AE)
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 31%
Migraine and Headache Studies
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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