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This study examines urban women's perceptions of health information credibility shared on social media.

April 3, 2026Open Access

Assessing Urban Women's Perception Of The Credibility Of Health Information Shared On Social Media Platforms

MPMiss. Sushma Pawar PKProf. Onkaragouda Kakade

Key Points

This study examines urban women's perceptions of health information credibility shared on social media.
Descriptive research design was used.
Online survey with a structured questionnaire was administered.
Data were collected from 160 randomly selected urban respondents.
Survey focused on social media usage, trust determinants, and credibility perceptions.
Respondents demonstrated varied perceptions of health information credibility.
Demographic factors, such as age and education, influenced credibility assessments.
Social media platforms differed in perceived trustworthiness for health information.
Healthcare professionals were generally viewed as more credible than social media influencers.

Abstract

In recent years, social media has emerged as a significant source of health-related information among urban women, providing rapid and convenient access to a wide range of content through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Despite its accessibility and popularity, the credibility of such information remains a critical concern due to the prevalence of misinformation, underlying commercial interests, and the lack of verification by qualified health professionals. This study aims to examine urban women's perceptions regarding the credibility of health information disseminated through social media platforms. Specifically, it seeks to analyze the influence of demographic variables such as age and educational background on credibility perception; to identify the criteria employed by urban women in assessing the trustworthiness of health-related content; to determine the most trusted social media platforms for obtaining health information; to evaluate the role of source authority—particularly the distinction between healthcare professionals and social media influencers—in shaping perceived credibility; and to assess the impact of misinformation and conflicting content on users' trust. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Primary data were collected through an online survey administered using a structured questionnaire. A total of 160 respondents were randomly selected from urban areas to gather insights into their social media usage patterns, trust determinants, and perceptions regarding the credibility of health information.

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