ABSTRACT
STUDY PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of social media applications on donor engagement and retention within the blood donation system in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted in this study. The population aged above 18 years and living in Saudi Arabia was included in the study. Using convenience and snowball sampling techniques, an online questionnaire was distributed using social media channels such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. A total of 463 participants were included in the study. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants (78.1%) engage on social media applications multiple times a day for charity causes such as blood donation by responding to requests, while 51.8% of them engage on social media applications for the same reason a few times a month. Focusing on donor engagement, 46.8% and 27.3% of the total participants were likely to engage in the blood donation process; 60% were likely to continue to use social media applications for blood donation. The ANOVA findings showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between participant groups characterized by age and educational level on their engagement on social media applications for the blood donation process. Younger participants and participants with bachelor's degrees and above were more likely to engage in social media applications for the blood donation process compared to minimum educated and older participants (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Charity or blood donation organizations must adopt strategies to actively engage the donors on the platforms, as social media can effectively contribute to donor engagement and retention.
ABSTRACT
Introduction In the evolving landscape of healthcare, the emergence of digital technologies has brought digital health literacy to the forefront. This is especially pertinent given the vast amount of health information available online and the diverse capabilities of individuals to effectively use this resource. Focusing on the Saudi Arabian context, where digital health practices are increasingly integrated into daily life, our study aims to investigate the competencies in digital health literacy and the patterns of online health information seeking among the Saudi population. Methods A quantitative research design was adopted for this investigation. Data were collected through online surveys from a diverse cohort of 2,184 Saudi residents, all above the age of 18 years. The survey was designed to evaluate the participants' ability to find, understand, and use health information obtained from digital platforms. Results Analysis indicates that 63% of the population is proficient in using search engines for health information. However, 37% face challenges in formulating precise health-related inquiries. Additionally, the study identified significant variations in digital health literacy across different genders and age groups, with younger participants generally showing higher literacy levels. Conclusion The results of our study highlight the critical need for specialized educational initiatives in Saudi Arabia aimed at bolstering digital health literacy. This is particularly essential in bridging the gaps observed in different age groups and between genders. By enhancing these key competencies, we can significantly empower individuals to make well-informed health decisions. Such advancements are instrumental in nurturing a society that is both more informed and proficient in managing health-related information in a digital context.
