An Assessment of Health Information Sources and Their Influence on Health Seeking Behaviors in The Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Author

• Chantia K. Taylor, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow

Term of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)

Document Type and Release Option

Dissertation (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Committee Chair

Bettye Apenteng

Committee Member 1

Samuel Opoku

Committee Member 2

Nandi Marshall

Abstract

Health information sources continue to evolve, making it important to understand how they influence health-seeking behaviors and health outcomes. This study examined how different sources of health information affect health-seeking behaviors among residents of Kumasi Metropolis.

The study used a quantitative design with a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 375 residents aged 18 and older in both peri-urban and urban areas in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study examines how health information sources (the independent variable) influence completion of annual physical examination or medical checkups (the dependent variable).

Mass media (TV, radio and newspapers) emerged as the most common source of health information for residents, with its use associated with health status. Findings also showed that female gender, age, and income were negatively associated with social media use for health information, while education, and living in the city were positively associated with its use. Regarding the use of websites for health information, variables such as, female gender, age, and lack of health insurance were negatively associated with the use of websites for health information whereas education was positively associated with its use. Social media use for health information, and not mass media use or website use, was positively associated with annual medical checkups.

These findings highlight the importance of effective health communication and can help public health stakeholders and policymakers identify the most effective channels for reaching and educating large populations.

OCLC Number

930806

Recommended Citation

Taylor, C. (2026). An assessment of health information sources and their influence on health seeking behaviors in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No