A Study on the Role of New Media in Promoting Health Awareness Among University Students Aged 18 to 25 in Klang Valley

Abstract

The growing prominence of digital platforms has significantly reshaped health communication, particularly among young adults. This study examines the role of new media in promoting health awareness among university students in Klang Valley, Malaysia, with a focus on frequency of usage and perceived credibility. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 106 respondents using a structured questionnaire.
The findings indicate that students actively utilise platforms such as Instagram and TikTok for health-related information. Correlation analysis shows significant positive relationships between new media usage, perceived credibility, and health awareness. Regression results further reveal that both variables significantly predict health awareness, with perceived credibility emerging as the stronger predictor.
The study demonstrates that while new media enhances access to health information, its effectiveness depends on the trustworthiness of the content. These findings highlight the importance of promoting credible digital health communication and strengthening digital health literacy.