Resumo

MARTIN FOMBELLIDA, Ana Belén et al. Does the information about self-medication available in the internet meet standards of quality?. Rev. cuba. inf. cienc. salud [online]. 2016, vol.27, n.1, pp.19-34. ISSN 2307-2113.

The study aims at analyzing the quality of information on self-medication in Internet websites and assess whether quality criteria are met. In view of this, an observational cross-sectional study was carried out as based on the assessment of 15 institutional websites related to self-medication and randomly chosen for review by 59 regular internet users as a fundamental tool in their professional work. A survey developed specifically for this research was conducted. The 66 % of this study's users confirmed the existence of information on self-medication in these websites. According to the observations made by users -most web pages with information about self-medication- in 9 (60 %), standards of quality are met in 70-75 %. The best assessed variables have been updating of information, responsibility and accessibility. The worst assessed ones have been the information architecture and the existence of accreditation or quality seal on the Web. The quality of the websites analyzed is acceptable, but improvable regarding universal accessibility, accreditation and/or certification. The Webs best rated globally have been the Ministry of Health's, Social Policy and Equality's of Spain and the World Health Organization's.

Palavras-chave : quality of information; internet; websites; self-medication.