scholarly journals Implications of social media use on health information technology engagement: Data from HINTS 4 cycle 3

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 566-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devlon N. Jackson ◽  
Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou ◽  
Kisha I. Coa ◽  
April Oh ◽  
Bradford Hesse
2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 973-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiyoung Chae

This study identified specific types of online health-related activities that may promote preventive dietary behaviors. Two cycles (Cycles 1 and 3) of the Health Information National Trends Survey 4 were analyzed ( N = 2606 and 2284, respectively; Internet users only). Similar types of activities were grouped to create three types of online activities: information seeking, engagement in health information technology, and social media use. In both cycles, online health information seeking and the engagement in health information technology were positively associated with two dietary behaviors (fruit/vegetable consumption and using menu information on calories) but not with soda consumption. Individuals may be exposed to new information or become more aware of their current health status through information seeking or health information technology engagement. However, social media use for health was not related to any of the dietary behavior. The results suggest that “how we use the Internet” may make a difference in health outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Liu ◽  
Joy Lee ◽  
Michael Weiner

Background: Transgender people face many potential barriers in healthcare, such as real or perceived discrimination, inability to pay for healthcare services, and misinformation about transgender health needs. It has been hypothesized that, because of these barriers, transgender people may be more receptive to using health information technology than other populations. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand the ways transgender people use health information technology. Methods: This scoping review included English studies that addressed use of technology by transgender people in health sciences literature. The inclusion criteria was studies that documented transgender technology use and did not include studies that only focused on technology use by healthcare providers. Included studies were sorted into categories based on the type of technology transgender participants used. Results: Twenty-nine articles met the study inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 1,276 articles searched from online databases. Many studies were involved with multiple categories. Fourteen articles addressed websites targeting transgender people, twelve included the usage of online social media sites, seven articles involved transgender usage of online surveys, and four articles discussed transgender usage of smartphones in health management. Conclusion and potential impact: Twenty-two studies focused on the application of interventions through websites and social media sites, nineteen of which concluded that web-based health information or interventions were feasible methods to affect the health of transgender people. Sixteen studies concluded that online interactions were accepted, if not preferred, by their transgender participants. This review suggests that further integration of online interventions and healthcare information into these mediums may increase transgender engagement in healthcare and reduce healthcare barriers. Future research to improve understanding of the outcomes of health information technology on the health of transgender people would be an asset for treating a historically medically underserved community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1892
Author(s):  
Helen Skouteris ◽  
Melissa Savaglio

Young women of reproductive age (18–25 years) often seek and engage with health-related information via social media. However, the extent to which this population group seek preconception and pregnancy-related information has not been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to: (1) examine the proportion, type, and frequency of social media use to seek general health, preconception, and pregnancy-related information or advice among young women; and (2) explore the relationship between age, education status, relationship status, and planning a pregnancy on social media use for preconception and pregnancy-related health information. Ninety-one Australian women aged 18–25 years completed an online survey about their patterns and preferences of social media use for this information. Forty percent of women used social media for general health information (most often daily), 32% for preconception health advice (most commonly weekly), and 20% for pregnancy-related information (most often weekly), with Facebook the most frequently used platform. Planning a pregnancy within the next 5 years and younger age were associated with greater likelihood of using social media for such information. It is necessary that social media platforms are leveraged to disseminate preconception and pregnancy planning health advice, support, and education to provide better health promotion and preventive care to young women.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaomeng Niu ◽  
Bo Li ◽  
Jessica Willoughby ◽  
Ze Li ◽  
Rongting Zhou

BACKGROUND Empirical research has demonstrated that people frequently use social media for gathering and sharing online health information. Health literacy, social media use, and self-efficacy are important factors that may influence people’s health behaviors online. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the associations between health literacy, health-related social media use, self-efficacy and health behavioral intentions online. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Chinese adults aged 18 and above (N = 449) to examine predictors of health-related behavioral intentions online including health literacy, social media use, and self-efficacy. Hayes’ PROCESS macro was used to analyze the mediation and moderation models. RESULTS Two moderated mediation models were constructed. Self-efficacy mediated the effects of health literacy (Bindirect=0.213, 95% CI: 0.101 to 0.339) and social media use (Bindirect=0.023, 95% CI: 0.008 to 0.045) on health behavioral intentions on social media. Age moderated the effects of health literacy on self-efficacy (P=.029), while previous experience moderated the effects of social media use on self-efficacy (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Health literacy and health-related social media use influenced health behavioral intentions on social media via their prior effects on self-efficacy. The association between health literacy and self-efficacy was stronger among younger respondents, whereas the association between health-related social media use and self-efficacy was stronger among those who previously had positive experiences with health information on social media. Health practitioners should target self-efficacy among older population and increase positive media experience related to health. CLINICALTRIAL


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jisan Lee ◽  
Jeongeun Kim ◽  
Yeong Joo Hong ◽  
Meihua Piao ◽  
Ahjung Byun ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhail H. Al-Amad ◽  
Amal Hussein

Abstract Background Social media can play a detrimental role during a global health emergency. In this study, we aimed at assessing the impact social media has on the anxiety level of dental healthcare workers (DHCWs) whilst living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An online questionnaire was disseminated to a cross-sectional sample of DHCWs from 19 countries using social media platforms. The questionnaire enquired about DHCWs’ frequency of using social media and their dependency on health-related information posted on those platforms. Anxiety was measured using General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Results Four-hundred and three (403) DHCWs completed the online questionnaire. Sixty-eight percent (68%) frequently use social media for information on COVID-19. The frequency of social media use was higher among younger DHCWs, with shorter clinical experience, and holders of undergraduate qualifications (p = 0.009, p = 0.002, and p = 0.023, respectively). Almost one third of DHCWs had moderate to severe anxiety (31.7%), which was significantly associated with the frequency of social media use (p = 0.016). This association was adjusted for age, years of experience and qualification level (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.05–2.93; p = 0.032). Conclusion COVID-19 social media infodemic has been adversely impacting the psychological wellbeing of DHCWs. More effective measures are needed to control the quality and spreadability of health information on social media platforms.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bu Zhong ◽  
Zhibin Jiang ◽  
Wenjing Xie ◽  
Xuebing Qin

BACKGROUND Considerable research has been devoted to examining the mental health conditions of patients with COVID-19 and medical staff attending to these patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are few insights concerning how the pandemic may take a toll on the mental health of the general population, and especially of nonpatients (ie, individuals who have not contracted COVID-19). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the association between social media use and mental health conditions in the general population based on a national representative sample during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in China. METHODS We formed a national representative sample (N=2185) comprising participants from 30 provinces across China, who were the first to experience the COVID-19 outbreak in the world. We administered a web-based survey to these participants to analyze social media use, health information support received via social media, and possible psychiatric disorders, including secondary traumatic stress (STS) and vicarious trauma (VT). RESULTS Social media use did not cause mental health issues, but it mediated the levels of traumatic emotions among nonpatients. Participants received health information support via social media, but excessive social media use led to elevated levels of stress (<i>β</i>=.175; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), anxiety (<i>β</i>=.224; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), depression (<i>β</i>=.201; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), STS (<i>β</i>=.307; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), and VT (<i>β</i>=.688; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Geographic location (or geolocation) and lockdown conditions also contributed to more instances of traumatic disorders. Participants living in big cities were more stressed than those living in rural areas (<i>P</i>=.02). Furthermore, participants from small cities or towns were more anxious (<i>P</i>=.01), stressed (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), and depressed (<i>P</i>=.008) than those from rural areas. Obtaining more informational support (<i>β</i>=.165; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and emotional support (<i>β</i>=.144; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) via social media increased their VT levels. Peer support received via social media increased both VT (<i>β</i>=.332; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and STS (<i>β</i>=.130; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) levels. Moreover, geolocation moderated the relationships between emotional support on social media and VT (<i>F</i><sub>2</sub>=3.549; <i>P</i>=.029) and the association between peer support and STS (<i>F</i><sub>2</sub>=5.059; <i>P</i>=.006). Geolocation also interacted with health information support in predicting STS (<i>F</i><sub>2</sub>=5.093; <i>P</i>=.006). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 has taken a severe toll on the mental health of the general population, including individuals who have no history of psychiatric disorders or coronavirus infection. This study contributes to the literature by establishing the association between social media use and psychiatric disorders among the general public during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study findings suggest that the causes of such psychiatric disorders are complex and multifactorial, and social media use is a potential factor. The findings also highlight the experiences of people in China and can help global citizens and health policymakers to mitigate the effects of psychiatric disorders during this and other public health crises, which should be regarded as a key component of a global pandemic response.


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