Social media usage for health information among undergraduate students: a cross sectional study

Social media has become a major source of health information for university students due to its accessibility and interactivity. However, evidence on how Nigerian undergraduates use and perceive these platforms for health information is limited. This study assessed patterns of social media use, perception of social media as a health information tool, and factors influencing its use among undergraduate students.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at the University of Abuja using a multistage sampling technique from January to April, 2025. A structured 33-item questionnaire, distributed both online and in-person with consistent sampling methods across modes, collected data on demographics, social media usage patterns, perception (5-point Likert scale), and influencing factors. Perception scores ranged from 10 to 50, with scores ≥ 25 categorized as positive. Descriptive statistics summarized data, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test assessed associations between sociodemographic variables and social media use.

A total of 242 students participated; 60.7% were female and 53.7% were aged 18-20 years. TikTok^® (16.7%) and Instagram^® (15.3%) were the most frequently used platforms for seeking health information, while nutrition was the most commonly searched topic (52.4%). Nearly half (48.1%) regarded social media as a trusted health information source, although 43.3% strongly agreed that misleading content is common. Overall, most respondents demonstrated a positive perception of social media for health information, and 91.4% cited relevance to personal health needs as the main influencing factor. No significant associations were found between social media use and age (p = 0.813), gender (p = 0.329), level of study (p = 0.703), religion (p = 1.000), or ethnicity (p = 0.729).

Undergraduate students frequently use social media for health information and generally perceive it positively, despite concerns about misinformation. These findings highlight the need for digital health interventions that enhance credibility, promote digital health literacy, and leverage platforms commonly used by young adults.