Evaluating the User Interface of Health Literacy Websites in Iran

Since the relationship between the user and the web is through the user interface, it is ýessential that health websites be userþ-þcentric. The aim of the present study was to identify the ýstrengths and weaknesses of the user interface of health websites in Iran.
This applied and descriptive research was conducted using heuristic method. Based on their ýAlexa rank and the rate of related pages, 13 health websites were selected. The websites were ýexamined by 5 evaluators (3 graduates in computer sciences and 2 in medical library and ýinformation sciences) using a checklist containing 5 major criteria and 27 items. The data were ýanalyzed using descriptive statistics in Excel software.
The health literacy websites had observed 63.78% of the criteria of the checklist. The criteria ýof flexibility (89%), technical features (81%), and aesthetics and visibility (77%) gained the ýhighest scores, respectively. However, the lowest scores belonged to the criteria of help and ýdocumentation (36.9%) and responsiveness and interaction (35%).
The websites’ user interfaces were in relatively desirable conditions. According to the ýfindings, the criteria of help and documentation and responsiveness and interaction require ýmore attention. It is suggested that these websites resolve the identified problems and ýminimize the gap between them and the users, so that users can visit these websites more ýfrequently.