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Here's an idea: ask the users! Young people's views on navigation, design and content of a health information website
Linda S. Franck, PhD, RN, RGN, RSCN, FRCPCH, FAAN
Institute of Child Health, University College London, Centre for Nursing and Allied Health Professions Research, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK, l.franck{at}ich.ucl.ac.uk
Genevieve Noble, BSc, MSc
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
Use of the internet to provide health information to young people is a relatively recent development. Few studies have explored young people's views on how they use internet health websites. This study investigated the navigation, design and content preferences of young people using the Children First for Health (CFfH) website. Young people from five secondary schools completed an internet site navigation exercise, website evaluation questionnaire and participated in informal discussions. Of the participants, 45 percent visited the website section aimed at older adolescents within their first two clicks, regardless of their age. There were conflicting preferences for design and strong preference for gender-specific information on topics such as appearance, relationships, fitness and sexual health. The findings indicate the importance of gaining young people's views to ensure that health information websites meet the needs of their intended audience. Cooperation from schools can facilitate the process of gaining young people's views on internet website navigation, design and content.
Key Words: adolescents • health information • internet • website
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Journal of Child Health Care, Vol. 11, No. 4,
287-297 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1367493507083941
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