Social Determinants of Health Information Seeking among Chinese Adults in Hong Kong

Background Inequalities in health information seeking behaviors (HISBs) using mass media and internet websites (web 1.0) are well documented. Little is known about web 2.0 such as social networking sites (SNS) and instant messaging (IM) and experiences of HISBs. Methods We surveyed representative Hong Kong Chinese adults (N = 10143, 54.9% female; 72.3% aged 25–64 years) on frequency of HISBs using traditional sources, internet websites, SNS (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), and IM (e.g., WhatsApp, WeChat) and experiences measured using Information Seeking Experience Scale. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for HISBs and experiences by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were yielded using multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance estimators. aPRs for experiences by HISBs using internet websites, SNS, and IM adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were also yielded. Results Being female, higher educational attainment, not smoking, and being physically active were associated with HISBs using any source (all P<0.05). Older age had decreased aPRs for HISBs using traditional sources (P for trend = 0.03), internet websites (P for trend<0.001), and SNS (P for trend<0.001) but not for IM (aged 45–64 years: aPR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07, 2.03). Lower educational attainment and income were associated with negative experiences including feelings of effort and difficulties in understanding the information (all P for trend<0.05). Older age had increased aPRs for difficulties in understanding the information (P for trend = 0.003). Compared with internet websites, HISBs using IM was associated with feelings of frustration (aPR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.08, 1.79), difficulties in understanding the information (aPR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.12, 1.65), and quality concern (aPR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.32). Conclusions We identified correlates of web-based health information seeking and experiences in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Providing greater access to and improved information environment of web 2.0 to the target groups may help address digital inequalities.

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Usability Evaluation of a Portable Health Information Kiosk Using a SMAARTTM Intervention Framework

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v9n8p153 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 153 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ashish Joshi ◽

Mohit Arora ◽

Bhavya Malhotra

Keyword(s):

Social Determinants Of Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Clinical Data ◽

Social Determinants ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Urban Slum ◽

Determinants Of Health ◽

Empirical Literature ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Convenience Sample

Empirical literature has shown that interventions to address social determinants of health are limited owing to poor integration of social and clinical data. The objective of this study was to describe a Sustainable, Multisector, Accessible, Affordable, Reimbursable, and Tailored framework (SMAARTTM) which was utilized to design and pilot test portable health information kiosk that can facilitate the integration of social determinants of health data with clinical data to enhance population health outcomes in global settings. The SMAART TM framework was designed using a combined approach of Data, Information Knowledge, Human Centered approach and behavioral humanistic and learning theories, and was applied to develop and evaluate an interactive, bi-lingual computer enabled portable health information kiosk. A convenience sample (recruitment based on accessibility to the researcher) of 149 individuals aged 18 years and above living in urban slum settings of India were enrolled in the year 2013. Subjective and objective data gathering included socio-demographics, clinical history, health behaviors and knowledge, attitude and practices. Weight and blood pressure levels were measured using physiological sensors. Usability assessment of the health information kiosk was also conducted. Results showed an increased burden of chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors and related knowledge, and lack of healthy lifestyle practices among urban slum individuals. Our study showed that the technology enabled SMAART TM framework can be utilized to develop an individual risk profile for better disease prevention, monitoring and management of chronic NCDs.

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Health Disparities, a Social Determinant of Health and Risk: Considerations for Health and Risk Messaging

Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication ◽

10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.222 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nancy Grant Harrington

Keyword(s):

Health Disparities ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Media Coverage ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Determinants Of Health ◽

Health Information Seeking ◽

Starting Point

Health disparities are differences in health outcomes between socially disadvantaged and advantaged groups. This essay provides a brief review of the voluminous literature on health disparities, with a focus on several major threads including populations of interest, incidence and prevalence of morbidity and mortality, determinants of health, health literacy and health information seeking, media influences on health disparities, and efforts to reduce disparities. Populations of interest tend to be defined primarily by socioeconomic status (income/education), race, ethnicity, and sex or gender; however, differences in sexual orientation, immigrant status, geography, and physical and mental disability are also of concern. Determinants of health can be categorized along a number of dimensions, but common designations consider behavioral, social, and environmental factors that lead to health disparities, as well as differences in access to health care and health services. Of central interest to communication researchers, differences in health literacy and health information seeking are revealed between advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Media influences involve the effects of access or exposure to different kinds of health information on the health behavior and health outcomes of different groups, as well as the effects of health disparity media coverage on public support for initiatives to reduce health disparities. Efforts to reduce health disparities are extensive and involve government and foundation efforts and research-driven interventions. Taking a broader view, this essay briefly discusses trends in scholarship on health disparities, noting the precipitous increase in academic journal article publications on the topic, including the publication of journals specifically focused on publishing health disparities scholarship. Future directions for research are suggested, and recommendations for interventions to improve health disparities offered by the Principal Investigators of the 10 Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities are presented. Finally, an annotated list of primary sources (books, special issues of journals, reports) and a list of sources for further reading are offered to provide a starting point for beginning scholars to orient themselves to research in health disparities.

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A study on unintentional injuries and social determinants of health factors based on a population survey in Hong Kong

Injury Prevention ◽

10.1136/ip.2010.029215.745 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. A209-A209

Author(s):

A. Chui

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Social Determinants Of Health ◽

Social Determinants ◽

Population Survey ◽

Determinants Of Health ◽

Unintentional Injuries ◽

Health Factors

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Using Health Information Technology to Bring Social Determinants of Health into Primary Care: A Conceptual Framework to Guide Research

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved ◽

10.1353/hpu.2018.0071 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 949-963 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Erika K. Cottrell ◽

Rachel Gold ◽

Sonja Likumahuwa ◽

Heather Angier ◽

Nathalie Huguet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Information Technology ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Social Determinants Of Health ◽

Health Information Technology ◽

Health Information ◽

Social Determinants ◽

Determinants Of Health

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How, When and Why People Seek Health Information Online: Qualitative Study in Hong Kong (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.7000 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Joanna TW Chu ◽

Man Ping Wang ◽

Chen Shen ◽

Kasisomayajula Viswanath ◽

Tai Hing Lam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Health Information ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Age Groups ◽

The Internet ◽

Health Information Seeking ◽

The World ◽

Professional Health

BACKGROUND The Internet has become an established source for health information. The number of individuals using the Internet to search for health information, ranging from healthy lifestyle advice to treatment and diseases, continues to grow. Scholars have emphasized the need to give greater voice and influence to health consumers. Hong Kong, being one of the most technologically advanced and connected cities in the world, has one of the highest Internet penetration rates in the world. Given the dearth of research in an Asian context, Hong Kong is an excellent platform to study individuals’ perceptions (eg, benefits and limitations on seeking health information online and how the information is used) on health information seeking. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper was to study individuals’ perceptions on health information seeking and to document their Internet information–seeking behaviors. METHODS Five focus groups (n=49) were conducted from November 2015 to January 2016 with individuals across different age groups (18 years or above). Focus group contents were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. RESULTS Older (55+ years) and less educated respondents were less likely to use the Internet to search for health information. Among individuals who obtained health information via the Internet, regardless of the severity of the health issue, the Internet was always the first source for information. Limited doctor consultation time and barriers to accessing professional health services were the main reasons for using the Internet. Convenience and coverage were regarded as the main advantages, whereas credibility and trustworthiness of health information were noted as limitations. The use of Web-based health information varied among individuals; hence, the implications on the doctor-patient relationship were mixed. CONCLUSIONS The prevalent and increasing use of the Internet for health information seeking suggests the need for health care professionals to understand how it can be optimally utilized to improve health outcomes. Strategies for communicating and disseminating credible health information in a form that users can understand and use are essential. Due to the rapid technological and related behavioral changes, online health information seeking and its effects need to be closely monitored.

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