Aging Well with Health Information: Examining Health Literacy and Information Seeking Behavior Using a National Survey Dataset

2020 ◽  
pp. 205-211
Author(s):  
Fang-Lin Kuo ◽  
Tien-I Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Aging Well ◽  
Seeking Behavior

scholarly journals Factors Influencing College Students’ Mental Health Promotion: The Mediating Effect of Online Mental Health Information Seeking

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (13) ◽  
pp. 4783
Author(s):  
Wenen Chen ◽  
Qian Zheng ◽  
Changyong Liang ◽  
Yuguang Xie ◽  
Dongxiao Gu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Information ◽  
Health Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

For college students, mental health is an important factor in ensuring their ability to study and have a normal life. This research focuses on factors affecting the mental health of college students in the information network society. We constructed a theoretical model that influences their online mental health information seeking behavior from internal and external perspectives, and by extension, affects their mental health. Through the data obtained by field research and questionnaire survey on the online mental health information seeking behavior of some college students in Internet health information platforms, a structural equation model is used to test the hypotheses. Results show that the quality of external Internet platforms and the quality of internal electronic health literacy have a significantly positive impact on the online health information searching behavior of college students; electronic health literacy and online mental health information seeking behavior have significantly direct positive effects on college students’ mental health. Further, online health information searching behavior has a significant mediating effect between Internet platform quality, electronic health literacy, and college students’ mental health. The research conclusions have theoretical value and practical significance to study the factors influencing college students’ mental health in the context of information network society.

The Dispersion of Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Literacy in a State in the Southern United States: A Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikita Rao ◽  
Elizabeth Tighe ◽  
Iris Feinberg
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Health Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviors

BACKGROUND Transmission of health information has changed over time from in-person communication to online sources. Patients are able to find, understand, and use their health information without meeting with a healthcare provider and are able to participate more in their healthcare management. In recent years, the Internet has emerged as the primary source of health information, though clinical providers remain the most credible source. Ease of access, anonymity, and busy schedules may be motivating factors to seek health information online. Social media has surfaced as a popular source of health information as it can provide news at a real-time speed. The increase in the breadth and depth of health information online has also led to a plethora of misinformation and individuals are often unable to discern fact from fiction. Competencies in health literacy can help individuals better understand health information and enhance patient decision-making as adequate health literacy is a precursor to positive health information seeking behaviors. Several factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomics are known to moderate the association between health literacy and health information seeking behaviors. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the relationship between health literacy and health information seeking behaviors for individuals living in a southern state in the United States considering different demographic factors. METHODS Participants 18 years of age and older were recruited using Qualtrics Research Services and were stratified to match statewide demographic characteristics of race and age. Demographics and frequency and source of health information was collected. The Health Literacy Questionnaire was used to collect self-reported health literacy experiences. SPSSV27 was used for analysis. RESULTS A total of 520 participants met the criteria and completed the survey (mean age 36.3, SD 12.79 years). The Internet was cited as the most used source of health information (mean 2.41, SD 0.93). Females are more likely to seek health information from doctors (r = 0.121, P < .01). Older individuals are less likely to seek health information from the Internet, social media, and friends (r = -.090 to -.225, P < .05) than younger individuals. Cluster analysis demonstrated that individuals with higher levels of health information seeking behaviors are more likely to seek information from multiple sources than those with lower levels of health information seeking behavior (mean range 3.05 – 4.09, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Age and sex are significantly associated with health information seeking behaviors (HISB). Older adults may benefit from online resources to monitor their health conditions. Higher levels of health literacy are significantly associated with greater HISB. Targeted strategies to improve HISB among individuals with lower levels of health literacy may improve their access, understanding, and use of health information.

scholarly journals Cancer patients’ information seeking behavior related to online electronic healthcare records

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 146045822110247
Author(s):  
Hanife Rexhepi ◽  
Isto Huvila ◽  
Rose-Mharie Åhlfeldt ◽  
Åsa Cajander
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Information Horizons ◽  
Health Information Sources

Patients’ online access to their EHR together with the rapid proliferation of medical information on the Internet has changed how patients use information to learn about their health. Patients’ tendency to turn to the Internet to find information about their health and care is well-documented. However, little is known about patients’ information seeking behavior when using online EHRs. By using information horizons as an analytical tool this paper aims to investigate the information behavior of cancer patients who have chosen to view their EHRs (readers) and to those who have not made that option (non-readers). Thirty interviews were conducted with patients. Based on information horizons, it seems that non-reading is associated with living in a narrower information world in comparison to readers. The findings do not suggest that the smallness would be a result of active avoidance of information, or that it would be counterproductive for the patients. The findings suggest, however, that EHRs would benefit from comprehensive linking to authoritative health information sources to help users to understand their contents. In parallel, healthcare professionals should be more aware of their personal role as a key source of health information to those who choose not to read their EHRs.

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