Author/Authors :
Weber, A.S. Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar - Premedical Department, Qatar , Verjee, M. Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar - Department of Medical Education, Qatar , Rahman, Z. H. Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar - Premedical Department, Qatar , Ameerudeen, F. Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar - Premedical Department, Qatar , Al-Baz, N. Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar - Premedical Department, Qatar
Abstract :
The quality of information available on health websites in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has not been comprehensively assessed. From November to December 2012 we retrieved all functional health-related websites (n = 925) originating in GCC countries. Data on authorship, language, date, information content and type of site were recorded. A novel website checklist was developed based on the credibility and trust criteria of the Internet assessment organization Health On the Net Foundation (HON). Only 5 sites (0.5%) fulfilled all checklist categories. All websites except one were in English or Arabic languages. Only 10.1% of websites posted a privacy policy, 2.7% stated the authorship of information, 51.0% disclosed website ownership, 80.6% provided contact details and 58.5% dated information. Only 1.7% reported their advertising policy and 23.5% revealed sponsorships. GCC health website owners should consider working with the HON or similar organizations to meet internationally recognized credibility criteria.
