scholarly journals Mixed-method study on internet use and information-seeking during transition to motherhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Middleton ◽  
I Koliandri ◽  
E Hadjigeorgiou ◽  
M Karanikola ◽  
O Kolokotroni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Information Searching ◽  
Antenatal Education

Abstract Background Traditional approaches to antenatal education have been questioned as to their effectiveness. The use of the internet for information-seeking is very prevalent, however sources are of varied quality. We explored the information-seeking behaviour of pregnant women in the context of health literacy skills and informed decision-making. Methods In a mixed-method descriptive study, 12 focus groups with a culturally diverse set of pregnant women and new mothers (N = 62), a non-participant observation study of antenatal education classes and a web-based questionnaire survey were performed (N = 200). The survey explored use and critical appraisal of internet sources of information, perceived role in assisting decision-making, user-provider interaction, alliance and autonomy in decision making. Results Six themes emerged: in a generally “unsupportive system”, pregnant women want to have a “confident voice” but find themselves “self-navigating” in parallel worlds of formal and informal information, using a process of “supplementing and filtering”, sometimes instinctively and selectively, ending up in a state of “doubt and faith” with regards to the trustworthiness of the information and physician dominance in communication, while the “art of communication” is essential to break the cycle. Internet information-searching is very prevalent, even though 60% characterize the information as misleading and 90% would like health professionals to recommend trusted sites. While the majority report discussing this information with their healthcare providers, only 57% characterize the reception as positive. Conclusions Women want to have control over decisions affecting their pregnancy. While the internet is a prevalent information source, they value the communication with their healthcare providers and want direction. Maternity healthcare professionals need to recognize the phenomenon, offer appropriate guidance and support shared decision-making. Key messages “Traditional” antenatal education arrangements are not effective in supporting informed decision-making. In a landscape of prevalent internet use, a shift is needed from current practices of unguided information-searching.

scholarly journals O uso da internet como ferramenta de apoio ao esclarecimento de dúvidas durante a gestaçãoThe use of the Internet as a support tool to clarify questions during pregnancy

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Taiara Maestro Calderon ◽  
Maria Elisa Wotzasek Cestari ◽  
Alyni Cristiny Dobkowski ◽  
Mariana Digieri Cavalheiro
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Google Docs ◽  
Line Form ◽  
On Line ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Search For Information

Introduction: Pregnancy is a period of doubts and anxiety for most pregnant women. Objective: To evaluate the use of the Internet as a support tool to clarify doubts raised by women during pregnancy. Methods: An exploratory and descriptive study. Sample based on accidentalness, for 241 users who responded to the on-line form, built with Google Docs and made available in  one Blog. Results: 98% of pregnant women were between 19 and 39 years, 97% with schooling above 9 years, 99% had follow up with healthcare providers. Regarding the use of the Internet, 99% said they usually search for the pregnancy questions. The doubts consisted mostly in the search for information about the development of the baby, then how to deal with the discomforts of pregnancy, the changes in the woman’s body and feeding care. The choice of the sites, according to the interviewees, occurred mainly through the indication of social networks, friends and acquaintances. Regarding to the resolution of doubts, 97% reported that after the Internet search doubts were resolved. Conclusion: The Internet has been a tool of support for pregnant women who seek effective support on the World Wide Web to clarify their doubts. The significant standard for clarification and education reflected a customer that will search and possibly question the procedures and practices that are performed during prenatal care. However, the search for sites has been based on independent research guidance by health professionals, something which does not ensure the credibility of the sites surveyed by users.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Segmentation to Explain the Online Health Information–Seeking Behavior of Older Adults: Representative Telephone Survey

10.2196/15099 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e15099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winja Weber ◽  
Anne Reinhardt ◽  
Constanze Rossmann
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Related

Background As a result of demographic changes, the number of people aged 60 years and older has been increasing steadily. Therefore, older adults have become more important as a target group for health communication efforts. Various studies show that online health information sources have gained importance among younger adults, but we know little about the health-related internet use of senior citizens in general and in particular about the variables explaining their online health-related information–seeking behavior. Media use studies indicate that in addition to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors might play a role in this context. Objective The aim of this study was to examine older people’s health-related internet use. Our study focused on the explanatory potential of lifestyle types over and above sociodemographic variables to predict older adults’ internet use for health information. Methods A telephone survey was conducted with a random sample of German adults aged 60 years and older (n=701) that was quota-allocated by gender, age, educational status, and degree of urbanity of their place of residence. Results The results revealed that participants used the internet infrequently (mean 1.82 [SD 1.07]), and medical personnel (mean 2.89 [SD 1.11]), family and friends (mean 2.86 [SD 1.21]), and health brochures (mean 2.85 [SD 1.21]) were their main sources of health information. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on values, interests, and leisure time activities revealed three different lifestyle types for adults aged over 60 years: the Sociable Adventurer, the Average Family Person, and the Uninterested Inactive. After adding these types as second-step predictors in a hierarchical regression model with sociodemographic variables (step 1), the explained variance increased significantly (R2=.02, P=.001), indicating that the Average Family Person and the Sociable Adventurer use the internet more often for health information than the Uninterested Inactive, over and above their sociodemographic attributes. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the internet still plays only a minor role in the health information–seeking behavior of older German adults. Nevertheless, there are subgroups including younger, more active, down-to-earth and family-oriented males that may be reached with online health information. Our findings suggest that lifestyle types should be taken into account when predicting health-related internet use behavior.

Pregnancy-related health information behaviour of Estonian women

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadri Ojaperv ◽  
Sirje Virkus
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Maternity Hospital ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Search For Information

Purpose This study aims to increase the understanding of the pregnancy-related information behavior (IB) of pregnant women in Estonia. Design/methodology/approach The research involved a quantitative research methodology consisting of a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was collected from pregnant Estonian women through a self-administered Web-based questionnaire using a convenience sampling during the period from January to February 2019. A total of 300 pregnant women answered the questionnaire. The data were analysed using statistical analysis and the results of the study were compared with the results of previous studies. Findings The three topics on which information was most frequently sought were: fetal development, use of medicines during pregnancy and symptoms of pregnancy. The main sources of information were the internet and the midwife. The most reliable and valuable source of information was a midwife. Health-related information was sought mainly because it helped women make decisions related to pregnancy and childbirth. A number of factors facilitate the information seeking process. In addition, widespread access to the internet and technological skills facilitated IB. The following factors hindered the search for information: the controversy and/or ambiguity of information published on the internet and the time spent searching for information. Most women used wearable technologies during pregnancy. Research limitations/implications This study has several limitations. First, the weakness of online surveys is the potential lack of representativeness, as it excludes from the survey those who do not have access to or ability to use the internet for various reasons (Evans and Mathur, 2005; Limbu et al., 2021). Second, as most recruitment for the study took place online, there was a risk that those who did not use the internet could be excluded from the survey. Third, as the questionnaire was also shared in the Facebook news feed by the Women’s Clinic and Maternity Hospital of the East Tallinn Central Hospital, it may be that the respondents recruited through it more often used the support provided by medical professionals. Fourth, due to the volume limits of the study, it is not possible to present all the results of the study on the basis of socio-demographic characteristics and stage of pregnancy. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized to the broader population and future studies should explore a larger and more representative populations. Practical implications This study will give some useful information to help to improve the services offered for pregnant women in Estonia. Social implications The findings of this study may inform how to better support this target group. Originality/value There is a lack of research in Estonia that focuses on the IB of pregnant women and this research fills this gap.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health: The Role of Locus on Control and Internet Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 6985
Author(s):  
Rannveig Sigurvinsdottir ◽  
Ingibjorg E. Thorisdottir ◽  
Haukur Freyr Gylfason
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
The Impact

The true extent of the mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are unclear, but early evidence suggests poorer mental health among those exposed to the pandemic. The Internet may have differential effects, by both connecting people with resources, or reinforce the constant checking of negative information. Moreover, locus of control becomes important in an uncontrollable pandemic. The current study aimed to examine whether exposure to COVID-19 would relate to greater symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and to examine the role of internet use and locus of control. Adults in the United States and five European countries (N = 1723) answered an online survey through the website Mturk. Results show elevated psychological symptoms among those who have become infected with COVID-19 or perceive themselves to be at high risk if infected. Experience using the Internet relates to fewer symptoms, but information seeking is associated with more symptoms. Internet social capital relates to fewer symptoms of depression. Having an external locus of control relates to greater symptoms. These findings suggest that public health officials need to focus on the mental health effects of the pandemic, and that internet use and locus of control could be targets to improve mental health in the population.

scholarly journals Prenatal Googling: Online Information Seeking by Israeli Women During Pregnancy

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-87
Author(s):  
Eimi Lev
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Prenatal Testing ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Informational Needs ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Popular Medium ◽  
Online Information Seeking

Abstract: In recent years, the internet has become a popular medium for pregnant women seeking pregnancy-related information (Gao et al., 2012; Lagan, Sinclair & Kernohan, 2010; Romano, 2007; Song, West, Lundy & Smith-Dahmen, 2012). This study which utilized a qualitative approach explores Israeli women’s online information seeking during pregnancy. Israel is an especially interesting and important case study for exploring pregnancy-related internet use, because Israel has the highest rate of prenatal testing in the world (Lavi, 2010). The findings of this study indicated that the most prominent type of information sought by Israeli pregnant women online was focused on prenatal tests. The internet as a source of pregnancy-related information seems to function not just as a means to fulfill personal informational needs, but also to represent a broader social phenomenon of a highly medicalized pregnancy that seem to intensify uncertainty and therefore, to increase the need to rely on the internet during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Many Women and Providers Are Unprepared for an Evidence-Based, Educated Conversation About Birth

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Klein
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Maternity Care ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Canadian Studies ◽  
First Time

Findings from recent Canadian studies on the knowledge and beliefs about birth practices among first-time pregnant women and among obstetricians and other birth providers indicate that many women are inadequately informed and many providers deliver non-evidence-based maternity care. Consequently, informed decision making is problematic for pregnant women and their providers. New strategies are needed to inform pregnant women about key procedures and approaches that might be used in birth so they can have an educated, shared discussion with their provider and successfully advocate for their preferred birth experience. In addition, providers can be encouraged to supplement their knowledge with current, evidence-based maternity care practices. To avoid a lack of informed decision making and to ensure that natural, safe, and healthy birth practices are based on current evidence, pregnant women and providers must work together to inform themselves and to add childbirth to the women’s health agenda.

scholarly journals Educational behaviors of pregnant women in the Bronx during Zika’s International emerging epidemic: “First mom … and then I’d Google. And then my doctor”

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Rodriguez ◽  
Antoinette A. Danvers ◽  
Carolina Sanabia ◽  
Siobhan M. Dolan
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Initial Source ◽  
Source Of Information

Abstract Background The objective of the study was to understand how pregnant women learned about Zika infection and to identify what sources of information were likely to influence them during their pregnancy. Methods We conducted 13 semi-structed interviews in English and Spanish with women receiving prenatal care who were tested for Zika virus infection. We analyzed the qualitative data using descriptive approach. Results Pregnant women in the Bronx learned about Zika from family, television, the internet and their doctor. Informational sources played different roles. Television, specifically Spanish language networks, was often the initial source of information. Women searched the internet for additional information about Zika. Later, they engaged in further discussions with their healthcare providers. Conclusions Television played an important role in providing awareness about Zika to pregnant women in the Bronx, but that information was incomplete. The internet and healthcare providers were sources of more complete information and are likely the most influential. Efforts to educate pregnant women about emerging infectious diseases will benefit from using a variety of approaches including television messages that promote public awareness followed up by reliable information via the internet and healthcare providers.

scholarly journals Web-Based Medical Information Searching by Chinese Patients With Breast Cancer and its Influence on Survival: Observational Study

10.2196/16768 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. e16768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Shan Ye ◽  
Yidong Zhou ◽  
Feng Mao ◽  
Hailing Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Chinese Patients ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Information Searching ◽  
Web Based

Background The internet allows patients to easily look for health information. However, how Chinese patients with breast cancer use the internet has rarely been investigated, and there is a scarcity of information about the influence of internet use on survival. Objective This observational study aimed to investigate the details of online medical information searching by Chinese patients with breast cancer and to determine whether internet use has any survival benefits. Methods Patients who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled. We obtained information on their internet-searching behavior and gathered data from the patients’ medical and follow-up records. The associations between internet use and other clinic-pathological factors were analyzed. A Cox proportional-hazards model and the Kaplan-Meier method were used for disease-free survival (DFS) analyses. Results A total of 973 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent definitive surgery took part in the study. Among them, 477 cases (49.0%) performed web-based breast cancer information searching before the initial treatment. A multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that web-based breast cancer information searching was significantly associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.95, 95% CI 0.94-0.97, P<.001), higher education level (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.01–1.86, P=.04), and breast conserving surgery (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.77, P=.03). Baidu (73.4%, 350/477) and WeChat (66.7%, 318/477) were the two most popular online information sources for breast cancer; however, only 44.9% (214/477) felt satisfied with the online information. In contrast to the nonweb searching group, the web-using patients who were satisfied with online information showed significantly improved DFS (hazard ratio 0.26; 95% CI 0.08-0.88, P=.03). Conclusions The patients who were most likely to search the internet for breast cancer information were younger and well-educated, and they were more likely to have breast conserving therapy. Web-using patients who were satisfied with the internet information showed significantly improved DFS. Patients should browse credible websites offering accurate and updated information, and website developers should provide high-quality and easy-to-understand information to better meet the needs of patients with breast cancer.

scholarly journals A mixed methods systematic review of the effects of patient online self-diagnosing in the 'smart-phone society' on the healthcare professional-patient relationship and medical authority

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annabel Farnood ◽  
Bridget Johnston ◽  
Frances S Mair
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Healthcare Professional ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Information Source ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Professional Relationship

Abstract Background: As technology continues to advance, the internet is becoming increasingly popular. Self-diagnosis and health information seeking online is growing more common and it will be important to understand the influence this may have on the patient-healthcare professional relationship. Methods: A mixed-method systematic review of quantitative, qualitative and mixed method studies concerning the public and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of online self-diagnosis and health information seeking and how this can impact the patient-healthcare professional relationship. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ACM & SCOPUS between 2007 and 2018. Relevant data were extracted, and a thematic analysis was conducted and conceptualised using the Normalisation Process Theory framework. Results: Of 6107 records identified, 25 articles met the review eligibility criteria which included 16 qualitative, 8 quantitative and 1 mixed method study. The findings indicated that patients found the internet as a complementary information source alongside healthcare professionals. Health care professionals were perceived to be the most reliable and valued information source. People feel responsible for their own health and find the internet to be a source that provides information rapidly with accessibility at their convenience. Most healthcare professionals agreed on the importance of collaboration with patients and the need to develop a partnership and shared decision-making process but struggled to find time in the consultation to do so efficiently. Some healthcare professionals felt that the internet was advantageous for patients looking after their own health, while others felt it was due to a lack of trust in their expertise. Patients tended to present information to the healthcare professional to support the therapeutic relationship rather than to challenge it and to become more involved in the decision-making process of their healthcare. Conclusion: The results of this review suggests that patients value healthcare professionals as a source of medical advice more than the internet. While health professionals views were mixed our findings indicate that online health information seeking can potentially improve the patient-healthcare professional relationship as patients reported they usually conducted an online search to form a partnership with the healthcare professional as opposed to trying to prove them wrong. Systematic review registration: CRD42018084230

scholarly journals Lifestyle Segmentation to Explain the Online Health Information–Seeking Behavior of Older Adults: Representative Telephone Survey (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winja Weber ◽  
Anne Reinhardt ◽  
Constanze Rossmann
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Related

BACKGROUND As a result of demographic changes, the number of people aged 60 years and older has been increasing steadily. Therefore, older adults have become more important as a target group for health communication efforts. Various studies show that online health information sources have gained importance among younger adults, but we know little about the health-related internet use of senior citizens in general and in particular about the variables explaining their online health-related information–seeking behavior. Media use studies indicate that in addition to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors might play a role in this context. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine older people’s health-related internet use. Our study focused on the explanatory potential of lifestyle types over and above sociodemographic variables to predict older adults’ internet use for health information. METHODS A telephone survey was conducted with a random sample of German adults aged 60 years and older (n=701) that was quota-allocated by gender, age, educational status, and degree of urbanity of their place of residence. RESULTS The results revealed that participants used the internet infrequently (mean 1.82 [SD 1.07]), and medical personnel (mean 2.89 [SD 1.11]), family and friends (mean 2.86 [SD 1.21]), and health brochures (mean 2.85 [SD 1.21]) were their main sources of health information. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on values, interests, and leisure time activities revealed three different lifestyle types for adults aged over 60 years: the Sociable Adventurer, the Average Family Person, and the Uninterested Inactive. After adding these types as second-step predictors in a hierarchical regression model with sociodemographic variables (step 1), the explained variance increased significantly (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup>=.02, <i>P</i>=.001), indicating that the Average Family Person and the Sociable Adventurer use the internet more often for health information than the Uninterested Inactive, over and above their sociodemographic attributes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the internet still plays only a minor role in the health information–seeking behavior of older German adults. Nevertheless, there are subgroups including younger, more active, down-to-earth and family-oriented males that may be reached with online health information. Our findings suggest that lifestyle types should be taken into account when predicting health-related internet use behavior.

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