<![CDATA[The increasing dependence on social media for health information among young people has transformed health communication, with health influencers emerging as important sources of health advice. However, concerns have been raised regarding the credibility of health information shared by influencers and the extent to which such information influences the health behaviour of users. Previous studies have examined health influencers; however, the specific dimensions of source credibility particularly expertise and trustworthiness and how these dimensions predict the adoption of health messages among Nigerian undergraduates have received limited scholarly attention. This study examined the influence of the perceived expertise and trustworthiness of Aproko Doctor, a Nigerian medical influencer, on the adoption of health messages among undergraduates of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 264 undergraduates who followed Aproko Doctor on social media using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. The findings revealed high levels of perceived expertise (Grand Mean = 4.13) and trustworthiness (Grand Mean = 4.11) among the respondents. The respondents also demonstrated a high level of health message adoption (Grand Mean = 4.03). Correlation analysis showed that perceived expertise (r = 0.369, p < 0.001) and trustworthiness (r = 0.523, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with message adoption. However, multiple regression analysis revealed that when both variables were modelled simultaneously, only perceived trustworthiness significantly predicted message adoption (β = 0.507, p < 0.001), while perceived expertise did not emerge as a significant predictor (β = 0.023, p = 0.711). The regression model was statistically significant (F(2, 261) = 49.19, p < 0.001) and accounted for 27.4% of the variance in health message adoption (R² = 0.274). The study demonstrates that medically qualified health influencers can serve as credible sources of health information and effectively promote positive health behaviours among young people. The findings provide practical insights for public health agencies seeking to leverage trusted medical influencers in health promotion campaigns in Nigeria.]]>
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