International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Communicating health information on social networking sites, especially Facebook can be quite gainful but at the same time contains a range of probable risks.
Objective: This study investigated the difficulties faced when sharing data related to a person’s medical history including symptoms, diagnosis, procedures and outcomes through social media, and its implication on healthcare delivery in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Method: The adopted discursive analysis research method and anchored the discussion on the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT). Results: The study found that health communication through Facebook faces the challenge of lack of status identification; thereby reducing fidelity and credibility.
Conclusion: The study concludes that Facebook and other social media platforms are vital platforms for sharing of information on diabetes among patients, doctors, nurses and other carers or care-givers. Diabetic patients that belong to Facebook groups that communicate their health challenges on the platform are more likely to better manage the disease than those who do not; this is because the sharing of health information among the members of the groups can potentially provide care, reduce trauma and increase the knowledge of patients about the disease. Unique contribution: The study provides fresh insights into the major challenges of health communication through Facebook which has some negative consequences.
Key Recommendation: The study recommends that members of Facebook diabetic patient groups should always identify their status by indicating their professional status such as doctor, care-giver, nurse, Mr. Mrs or Miss ‘A’ ‘B’ or ‘Z’ before their names; diabetic patients in Ebonyi State should be encouraged to register in online health communication groups to enable them take advantage of the benefits of belonging to such groups.