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.

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.

scholarly journals Evolution of online health-related information seeking in France from 2010 to 2017: results from nationally representative surveys (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Ducrot ◽  
Ilaria Montagni ◽  
Viet Nguyen-Thanh ◽  
Anne-Juliette Serry ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Richard
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Way

BACKGROUND Given the fast ongoing progression of the Internet and the increase in health information available from disparate sources, it is important to understand how these changes impact the online health information-seeking behavior of the population and the way of managing one’s health. OBJECTIVE This paper aims at describing the evolution of Internet use as a source of health information between 2010 and 2017, as well as the characteristics of online health information-seekers, the topics of interest, the sources of information, and the trust in this information and the potential impact on behavior. METHODS Data from French nationally-representative surveys Health Barometers were used (N=4,141 in 2010, 4,811 in 2014 and 6,255 in 2017.) Evolutions over time were assessed using chi-2 tests. Associations with sociodemographic characteristics and health status were evaluated using logistic regression models. RESULTS The use of the Internet as a source of health information rose between 2010 and 2014 (from 37.3% to 67.9%, P<.0001) but decreased significantly in 2017 (60.3%, P<.0001). Overall, the profile of health information-seekers compared to non-seekers did not change over time. They were more likely to be women, to be younger, to have a higher educational level, to have a higher household income and to be executives. Between 2014 and 2017, the proportion of those who did not pay attention to the source of information significantly increased to reach 39.7% (P<.0001). In 2017 as in 2014, health-related websites for general population remained the first source of information (38.6%) while institutional websites were the third (8.1%). If the credibility given to the online information is good for a large part of the information seekers since 2010 (more than 80%), it slightly decreased between 2014 and 2017 (P=.048). Above the individual characteristics, credibility was the main determinant of the way of managing one’s health (in 2017: OR=4.62; 95%CI=[3.35;6.36]). CONCLUSIONS After a rapid growth in the Internet use for seeking health information in the 2010-2014 period, a decrease was recorded in 2017 linked to a decreasing trust in the quality and reliability of information found online. These findings underlined the need for public health authorities to increase citizens’ eHealth literacy and/or to provide alternative trustworthy sources combining the popularity and accessibility of general health-information websites.

scholarly journals Social Media in Times of Crisis: Online Health Information Seeking using “#COVID-19 Patient Seeking Help” on Weibo in Wuhan, China (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoman Zhao ◽  
Ju Fan ◽  
Iccha Basnyat ◽  
Baijing Hu
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Health Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Online Health Information Seeking

BACKGROUND First detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the novel coronavirus (i.e., “COVID-19”) pandemic stretched the medical system in Wuhan and posed an immense challenge to the state’s risk communication efforts. Timely access to quality healthcare information during outbreaks of infectious diseases can be effective to curtail the spread of disease and feelings of anxiety. While these existing studies have greatly extended our knowledge about online health information seeking behavior, processes and motivations, rarely have the findings been applied to an outbreak. Moreover, there is relatively little recent research on how people in China are using the Internet for seeking health information in a time of a pandemic. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to explore how people in China are using the Internet for seeking health information in a time of a pandemic. Drawing on previous research of online health information seeking, this study asks the following research questions: How was the “#COVID-19 Patient Seeking Help” hashtag being used by patients in Wuhan seeking health information on Weibo at the peak of the outbreak?; What kinds of health information were patients in Wuhan seeking on Weibo at the peak of the outbreak? METHODS Using entity identification and textual analysis on 10908 posts on Weibo, we identified 1496 Coronavirus patients using “#COVID-19 Patient Seeking Help” and explored their online health information seeking behavior. RESULTS The curve of the hashtag posting provided a dynamic picture of public attention to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many patients faced difficulties accessing offline health care services. In general, our findings confirmed that the Internet is used by the Chinese public as an importance source of health information. The lockdown policy was found to cut off the patients’ social support network, preventing them from seeking help from family members. The ability to seek information and help online, especially for those with young children or elderly members was especially essential during the pandemic. A high proportion of female users were seeking health information and help for their parents or for the elder at home. The most searched information included accessing medical treatment; managing self-quarantine; and offline to online support. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the findings contribute to our understanding of health information seeking behaviors during an outbreak and highlight the importance of paying attention to the information need of vulnerable groups and the role social media may play.

scholarly journals Online health information–seeking behavior by endocrinology patients

HORMONES ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelos Kyriacou ◽  
Cathy Sherratt
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Health Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Related ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Willingness To Use

Abstract Purpose Given that the Internet is important for health-related information (HRI) and the fact that online health information (OHI)–seeking behavior has never been studied in endocrinology, we set out to examine how and why the Internet is utilized for HRI, the frequency of such activity, its impact, future information needs, and the effect of language. Methods A mainly quantitative, embedded mixed-methods study was performed, employing a questionnaire survey. We included 312 patients (78.4% response rate). Results OHI-seeking was reported by 175 patients (56.1%), especially in younger (p = 0.037) and more educated (p = 0.006) patients. OHI-seekers perceived OHI to be high-quality (135, 77.1%) but 104 (59.4%) were unaware of website certification tools. Among OHI-seekers, 63 (36.6%) reported positive behavioral changes after seeking OHI. Only 45 (25.7%) OHI-seekers discussed their gathered information with their endocrinologist. If an interactive e-learning module was available, 194/312 (62.2%) patients expressed willingness to use it, especially those reporting a need for more HRI (p = 0.024). Native speakers were more likely to report that OHI did not meet their information needs (p < 0.001). Conclusions OHI-seeking by patients attending the endocrinology outpatients is widely practiced. The availability of OHI in the native language and e-learning modules may enhance the utility of the Internet for health information.

scholarly journals Online Health Information Seeking Using “#COVID-19 Patient Seeking Help” on Weibo in Wuhan, China: Descriptive Study

10.2196/22910 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e22910
Author(s):  
Xiaoman Zhao ◽  
Ju Fan ◽  
Iccha Basnyat ◽  
Baijing Hu
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Health Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Online Health Information Seeking

Background First detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic stretched the medical system in Wuhan and posed a challenge to the state’s risk communication efforts. Timely access to quality health care information during outbreaks of infectious diseases can be effective to curtail the spread of disease and feelings of anxiety. Although existing studies have extended our knowledge about online health information–seeking behavior, processes, and motivations, rarely have the findings been applied to an outbreak. Moreover, there is relatively little recent research on how people in China are using the internet for seeking health information during a pandemic. Objective The aim of this study is to explore how people in China are using the internet for seeking health information during a pandemic. Drawing on previous research of online health information seeking, this study asks the following research questions: how was the “#COVID-19 Patient Seeking Help” hashtag being used by patients in Wuhan seeking health information on Weibo at the peak of the outbreak? and what kinds of health information were patients in Wuhan seeking on Weibo at the peak of the outbreak? Methods Using entity identification and textual analysis on 10,908 posts on Weibo, we identified 1496 patients with COVID-19 using “#COVID-19 Patient Seeking Help” and explored their online health information–seeking behavior. Results The curve of the hashtag posting provided a dynamic picture of public attention to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many patients faced difficulties accessing offline health care services. In general, our findings confirmed that the internet is used by the Chinese public as an important source of health information. The lockdown policy was found to cut off the patients’ social support network, preventing them from seeking help from family members. The ability to seek information and help online, especially for those with young children or older adult members during the pandemic. A high proportion of female users were seeking health information and help for their parents or for older adults at home. The most searched information included accessing medical treatment, managing self-quarantine, and offline to online support. Conclusions Overall, the findings contribute to our understanding of health information–seeking behaviors during an outbreak and highlight the importance of paying attention to the information needs of vulnerable groups and the role social media may play.

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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