Interactivity, Content, and Quality of Websites addressing Healthy Infant Behaviours: A systematic Assessment
Abstract
Title: Interactivity, Content, and Quality of Websites addressing Healthy Infant Behaviours: A Systematic Assessment
Background: Since the expeditious rise of search engines, tablets, smart phones, and social networks,
Internet usage has become readily accessible. As of 2021, 89% of the Australian population are active internet users (1). Recent evidence reported that during pregnancy, more than 90% of women utilize online sources (2-4). A study conducted in Sweden revealed that 91 % of the women had access to the Internet and majority of pregnant participants had searched the Internet to access information on pregnancy, childbirth, or the expected baby (5). Although internet usage has been widely utilized, there remains an impotence of judging quality, accuracy, and credibility of health-related websites.
Aims: This study aims to systematically assess quality, interactivity, readability, and comprehensibility of information targeting infant feeding, active play, and sleep behaviours on websites. This study will be an update of the 2015 systematic assessment conducted on websites and mobile phone applications in Australia (6).
Methods:Safari Google engine was used to search for the websites. Key words related to infant milk feeding behaviours, solid feeding behaviours, active play, and sleep were used to identify websites targeting infant health behaviours. The websites were assessed for information content based on the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines and National Physical Activity Recommendations, website quality using the Quality Component Scoring System (QCSS) tool, interactivity, suitability, and readability of information
Results: Results will be available before the event in February
References
- Statista. 2021. Australia - internet penetration | Statista. [online] Available at: <https://www.statista.com/statistics/680142/australia-internet-penetration/>
- Lagan BM, Sinclair M, Kernohan GW. Internet Use in Pregnancy Informs Women’s Decision Making: A Web-Based Survey. Birth. 2010;37: 106–115. pmid:20557533
- Bjelke M, Martinsson A-K, Lendahls L, Oscarsson M. Using the Internet as a source of information during pregnancy—A descriptive cross-sectional study in Sweden. Midwifery. 2016;40: 187–191. pmid:27450590
- Slomian J, Bruyère O, Reginster JY, Emonts P. The internet as a source of information used by women after childbirth to meet their need for information: A web-based survey. Midwifery. 2017;48: 46–52. pmid:28324809
- Larsson M. A descriptive study of the use of the Internet by women seeking pregnancy-related information. Midwifery. 2009;25(1):14–20.
- Taki S, Campbell KJ, Russell CG, Elliott R, Laws R, Denney-Wilson E. Infant feeding websites and apps: a systematic assessment of quality and content. Interact J Med Res. 2015 Sep 29;4(3):e18. doi: 10.2196/ijmr.4323
