Gazibara, Tatjana (36494484100)Tatjana (36494484100)GazibaraCakic, Milica (57210963115)Milica (57210963115)CakicCakic, Jelena (57210955817)Jelena (57210955817)CakicGrgurevic, Anita (12780453700)Anita (12780453700)GrgurevicPekmezovic, Tatjana (7003989932)Tatjana (7003989932)Pekmezovic2025-06-122025-06-122024https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12440https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85131200153&doi=10.1111%2fhir.12440&partnerID=40&md5=ec69cffdfb2a1468c8f2b43fd79c3453https://remedy.med.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1002Background: Many adolescents believe that online health information is reliable, particularly when they are familiar with the source of information. Objective: To analyse the degree of influence of online health information on high school students' health decisions and examine whether socio-demographic characteristics, digital literacy, use of different websites and interest in specific health topics are associated with a stronger influence of online health information on adolescents' health-related decisions. Methods: Participants were students from four public high schools in Belgrade, Serbia. Socio-demographic and behavioural questionnaire as well as the e-health literacy scale (eHEALS) were used to collect data. Results: The study sample comprised 702 students. A total of 79.6% of students reported that online health information influenced their health decisions to a certain extent (from ‘a little’ to ‘a lot’). Being a boy, using the internet since younger age, better self-perceived e-health literacy, using health apps, Google, health forums, websites of health institutions, social media and YouTube, being interested in diet/nutrition, sexually transmitted infections and cigarettes were the characteristics associated with a stronger influence of online health information on students' health decisions. Conclusion: This study provides clues about how online health-related information can be used to adjust and enhance health promotion amongst adolescents. © 2022 Health Libraries Group.adolescentsconsumer health informationdemographyinformation servicesinformation-seeking behaviourinternet