Readability of Online Health Information in the UK Pertaining to Migraine and Headache

Atherton, Kate ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1858-2841, Forshaw, Mark and Kidd, Tara (2022) Readability of Online Health Information in the UK Pertaining to Migraine and Headache. [Data Collection]

Abstract

An estimated 46% of the worldwide adult population live with an active headache disorder, and it is thought that there is a proportion of headache and migraine sufferers do not attend for medical care, instead choosing to manage their symptoms at home. The internet continues to act as a source of online health information for self-management, however, it is important that this information can be understood by the user. Research indicates that most health information online is written at a level too difficult for much of the UK population to understand. The aim of this study was to investigate the readability of online health information pertaining to headache and migraine for a UK-based internet user accessing the top four search engines. Searches for “headache” and “migraine” were performed on each search engine and results from the first page were selected for analysis. Five validated readability tests were used to analyse readability; Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease, Gunning Fog Index, Coleman-Liau Index and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook index. We found that the majority of online health information about migraine and headache is too difficult for the UK adult population to read. Findings highlight work required to ensure that information from a wider variety of sources is easier to comprehend for much of the population in order for individuals to make informed decisions about health seeking and self-management of headache and migraine. Health information providers should weave readability analysis into their content design process, incorporating shorter sentences and simpler words in their description of conditions and treatment.

Creators:	Atherton, Kate, Forshaw, Mark and Kidd, Tara
ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1858-2841UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	headache; migraine; online health information; search engines; self-management; self-care; readability
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.24377/LJMU.d.00000115
Division:	Psychology (new Sep 2019)
Field of Research:	Health sciences > Public health
Date Deposited:	31 Aug 2022 10:49
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2024 09:55
URI:	https://opendata.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/115
Data collection method:	Authors used the search terms "headache" and "migraine" on the top 4 UK search engines and retrieved websites from the first page of results. Plain text was entered into readable.com and results were inputted into the database. Duplicates, websites not in English, websites not including information on headache or migraine aimed at adults, websites aimed at clinicians, information behind a paywall, discussion boards, advertisements and newspaper articles were excluded from the analysis.
Resource language:	English
Metadata language:	English
Collection period:	From To 28 November 2021 28 November 2021