Survey Dataset: Impact of 'Health Fridays' WhatsApp Messages on University Students' Health Beliefs and Clinic Utilization

This dataset captures information about health messages sent on WhatsApp groups created by university staff. It seeks to explore changes in health beliefs and clinic utilisation, and it examines how students perceive and respond to short digital health messages shared through these groups. The data provide insight into whether exposure to these messages influences students’ awareness of health issues, their attitudes toward seeking care, and their likelihood of engaging with services offered by the campus clinic.

The dataset also documents key constructs associated with the Health Belief Model, including perceived susceptibility to health concerns, perceived benefits of health information, perceived barriers to accessing care, and cues to action related to health-seeking behaviour. By capturing these variables, the dataset allows researchers to explore how digital health communication may shape behavioural intentions and decisions related to accessing healthcare services within a university setting.

Collected from students who were members of the WhatsApp groups where the health messages were shared, the dataset reflects perceptions within an under-resourced university environment where low-cost communication tools are often used to reach large student populations. As such, the dataset contributes to understanding how commonly used digital communication platforms can support health promotion initiatives and potentially encourage greater utilisation of campus-based health services.