Information Sources, Credibility, Knowledge, and Risk Perceptions: Findings From the National Tuberculosis Survey in South Korea

Authors

  • Jarim Kim Department of Communication, Yonsei University
  • Sunouk You School of Applied Humanities & Public Service, Hankyong National University
  • Yesolran Kim Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Kookmin University

Keywords:

credibility, health communication, information source, knowledge, risk perception, South Korea, tuberculosis

Abstract

This study explores the sources of tuberculosis (TB) information used by Koreans, focusing specifically on how sociodemographic variables influence perceptions of source credibility and how the use of different information sources influences TB-related knowledge levels and risk perceptions. Based on the secondary cross-sectional data of the Korean National Tuberculosis Association, a series of analyses of variance and multiple regressions were conducted. The result showed that TV and the Internet are perceived as the most credible information sources, and that age, gender, and income predict credibility in different information sources. The TB-related knowledge was positively related to the use of TV/radio, interpersonal sources, and the Internet, whereas perceived susceptibility to TB was positively associated with the use of TV/radio and interpersonal sources. The findings suggest that health officers or public health campaign practitioners must understand their primary targets and select the most appropriate information sources to develop their campaigns.

Author Biographies

Jarim Kim, Department of Communication, Yonsei University

Associate professor in the Department of Communication at Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. (+82) 2-2123-2981

Sunouk You, School of Applied Humanities & Public Service, Hankyong National University

Associate professor in the School of Applied Humanities & Public Service at Hankyong National University, Gyeonggi, South Korea. (+82) 31-670-5381

Yesolran Kim, Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Kookmin University

Assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea. (+82) 2-910-4456

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Published

2024-01-14

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Section

Articles