Users' Willingness to Adopt Health Information in WeChat  Public Platform of China

Lifang  Tang; Hong  Sun

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i11.16951

Lifang Tang School of Media and Design, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, China
Hong Sun School of Humanities and Communication, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i11.16951

Keywords: WeChat public platforms; Health information; Adoption willingness; Perceived benefits

Abstract

Background: WeChat public platform has become an important source for the public to obtain health information. We aimed to explore the key factors affecting users’ willingness to adopt health information and their action mechanisms.

Methods: From April 2023 to May 2023, the users of WeChat public platforms were surveyed via online questionnaires, and the factors influencing users’ willingness to adopt health information and their action mechanisms were analyzed using quantitative statistics and structural equation model (SEM).

Results: The influencing factors of users’ willingness to adopt health information in WeChat public platforms could be divided into the following three dimensions: health belief, information, and platform. Perceived benefits, perceived threats, information quality, source credibility, and platform atmosphere all have significantly positive effects on information adoption willingness. Among them, information quality also positively affects users’ perceived benefits; perceived barriers negatively affect the willingness to adopt information.

Conclusion: Through the analysis of the influencing factors of users’ willingness to adopt health information in WeChat public platforms, it could provide reference for enhancing the public health information service capability of WeChat public platforms and elevating the health self-management level of the public.