Public Awareness and Perceived Risks of Accessing Health Information Through Mobile Online Drug Vendors in Awka South LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria

This study examined the exposure and awareness of health risks associated with sourcing online health information from mobile drug vendors in Awka South LGA of Anambra State. The study investigated the dangers of purchasing medications online, including access to substandard, spurious, falsified and counterfeit (SSFC) drugs that can lead to adverse outcomes of death. The study was guided by four research question: To what extent are Awka South residents exposed to health information from online mobile drug vendors? What online platform do mobile drug vendors operate frequently? To what extent are Awka South residents aware of the health risks associated with obtaining health information from mobile drug vendors on social media? To what extent do Awka South residents believe in health information supplied by Mobile Drug Vendors on social media? Anchored on the Health belief Model, the study adopted the survey research method, with the questionnaire as the instrument of data collection. A sample size of 383 was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula for determining sample size. The findings reveal that Awka South residents are significantly exposed to health information from online Mobile Drug Vendors. It was also discovered that WhatsApp and Facebook were the major social media platforms that drug vendors operate frequently. The research further reveals that Awka South residents are significantly aware of the health risks associated with obtaining health information from Mobile Drug Vendors on the social media. Furthermore, the findings also reveals that significant number of Awka South residents do not believe in health information supplied by Mobile Drug Vendors. The researchers therefore recommended that communication experts get involved in the development of health behavior change messages that will teach the general public how not to swallow every health information they get online hook, line and sinker.