Comparing COVID-19 and general health information-seeking behaviors among Chinese international students in South Korea

The study compares the COVID-19 information-seeking behavior of Chinese international students, who represent Korea’s largest international student group, with their general health information seeking behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted indepth semi-structured interviews with 30 Chinese international students who had been living in Korea for at least a year and were enrolled in degree programs. Two independent researchers coded the interview transcripts based on grounded theory until they reached an agreement. Our study revealed that the health information-seeking behaviors of participants differed depending on whether they were seeking general health information or COVID-19 information. Moreover, we found a notable discrepancy between the sources of information that participants preferred to use for general health information and the sources they actually used. Participants rated COVID-19 information as more accurate, authoritative, complete, current, useful, and objective compared to general health information. Our study highlights the critical need for comprehensive support from various organizations, including campus communities, local healthcare organizations, and the Korean and Chinese governments, to provide reliable and accessible health information to Chinese international students.