Public Health Information Seeking Behaviours Among Young Adults With Migrant Backgrounds in Australia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Muhammad Mahad, Davoud PourmarziABSTRACT
Issue Addressed
Equitable access to health information is a core component of the right to health, yet young migrants in Australia may face barriers shaped by factors including language, culture, and institutional trust. This study investigated public health information‐seeking behaviours among young migrants aged 18–25 years in Australia.
Methods
A cross‐sectional study was conducted between July and September 2025 ( N = 177). Data were collected on sociodemographic factors, preferred communication channels, information sufficiency, subjective norms, and perceived information‐gathering capacity using an online questionnaire. Chi‐square and Welch's t ‐tests were used to examine factors associated with active information‐seeking behaviour.
Results
Participants had a mean age of 21.4 ± 1.9 years; most were female (62%) and first‐generation migrants (67%), with 74% from Asian backgrounds. Over 80% were students, and nearly half held tertiary qualifications. Social media infographics, posts and short videos (46.7%) were the most preferred channels to receive public health information. 43% actively sought public health information. Active seeking was positively associated with perceived social expectations to be informed, ease of understanding information, and ability to distinguish accurate from false information ( p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.022, respectively).
Conclusions
Young migrants are more likely to actively seek public health information when social expectations and self‐efficacy reinforce their roles as family and community information brokers.
So What?
Strengthening eHealth literacy and co‐designing culturally relevant content with health professionals on social media could enhance access and trust. Public health communication should recognise and support young migrants in their role as information brokers, equipping them with the tools and confidence to share accurate health information.