Qatari adolescents: How do they use digital technologies for health information and health monitoring?

Project Description

This study aims to find out how Qatari youth acquire and evaluate information about health issues of all kinds. In particular, with the incomparable access youth now have to the Internet, what do we know about young people’s concerns for and use of technology to address their own health interests, but also how future public health campaigns might reach these youth beyond traditional media and school settings?

To answer those questions, the researchers conducted a large and representative survey of Qatari adolescents to comprehensively inventory their use and evaluation of health communication and health-supporting technologies.

The outcomes of this study are unique and valuable for all stakeholders in Qatar–to get to young Qataris the information they need for health purposes. The project helps design health communication measures of all sorts for young people, both more effectively and efficiently. this study also ties in with the new focus of Qatar’s Supreme Council of Health (2015) on applying e-health techniques to improve health communication of all kinds.

Researchers

Klaus Schoenbach, George Anghelcev

Collaborating Institutions

Northwestern University—Evanston (PI Ellen Wartella), Qatar University–SESRI (PI Salma Khaled)

Funding

Qatar National Research Fund – National Priorities Research Program (NPRP 9-038-5-003)