scholarly journals Parental Online Information Access and Childhood Vaccination Decisions in North America: Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Ashfield ◽  
Lorie Donelle
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Vaccine Information

BACKGROUND Immunizing children throughout their early years prevents the spread of communicable disease and decreases the morbidity and mortality associated with many vaccine-preventable diseases. Searching online allows individuals rapid access to health information. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review was to develop an understanding of the existing literature of parents’ online health information-seeking behaviors to inform their vaccination choices for their children and to identify gaps in the literature around parents’ use of online health information and their vaccination choices. METHODS A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature from Canada and the United States was performed. The following databases were utilized to perform the search: PubMed, CINAHL, Nursing & Allied Health Database, Scopus, and PsycINFO. The purpose of this review was to examine parents’ use of online information seeking related to vaccine information and to understand how parents utilize this information to inform decisions about vaccinating their children. Of the 34 papers included in the review, 4 relevant themes and subthemes were identified: information seeking, online information resources, online vaccine content, and trust in health care providers. RESULTS Examination of the literature revealed conflicting information regarding parents’ use of social media and online resources to inform decisions around vaccinating their children. There is evidence of significant misinformation regarding vaccine risks online. Parents’ digital health literacy levels are unknown and may affect their ability to appraise online vaccination information. CONCLUSIONS Parents are seeking vaccine information from online sources. However, the influence of online vaccine information on parental vaccine practices remains uncertain.

scholarly journals Parental Online Information Access and Childhood Vaccination Decisions in North America: Scoping Review

10.2196/20002 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e20002
Author(s):  
Sarah Ashfield ◽  
Lorie Donelle
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Vaccine Information

Background Immunizing children throughout their early years prevents the spread of communicable disease and decreases the morbidity and mortality associated with many vaccine-preventable diseases. Searching online allows individuals rapid access to health information. Objective The purpose of this review was to develop an understanding of the existing literature of parents’ online health information-seeking behaviors to inform their vaccination choices for their children and to identify gaps in the literature around parents’ use of online health information and their vaccination choices. Methods A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature from Canada and the United States was performed. The following databases were utilized to perform the search: PubMed, CINAHL, Nursing & Allied Health Database, Scopus, and PsycINFO. The purpose of this review was to examine parents’ use of online information seeking related to vaccine information and to understand how parents utilize this information to inform decisions about vaccinating their children. Of the 34 papers included in the review, 4 relevant themes and subthemes were identified: information seeking, online information resources, online vaccine content, and trust in health care providers. Results Examination of the literature revealed conflicting information regarding parents’ use of social media and online resources to inform decisions around vaccinating their children. There is evidence of significant misinformation regarding vaccine risks online. Parents’ digital health literacy levels are unknown and may affect their ability to appraise online vaccination information. Conclusions Parents are seeking vaccine information from online sources. However, the influence of online vaccine information on parental vaccine practices remains uncertain.

scholarly journals Literacy, Numeracy, and Health Information Seeking Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the United States

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 33-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Yamashita ◽  
Anthony R. Bardo ◽  
Darren Liu ◽  
Phyllis A. Cummins
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objectives: Health literacy is often viewed as an essential skill set for successfully seeking health information to make health-related decisions. However, this general understanding has yet to be established with the use of nationally representative data. The objective of this study was to provide the first nationally representative empirical evidence that links health information seeking behaviors with health literacy among middle-age to older adults in the United States. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2012/2014 Program for the International Assessment of Adult Literacy (PIAAC). Our analytic sample is representative of adults age 45 to 74 years ( N = 2,989). Results: Distinct components of health literacy (i.e., literacy and numeracy) were uniquely associated with the use of different health information sources (e.g., health professionals, the Internet, television). Discussion: Findings should be useful for government agencies and health care providers interested in targeting health communications, as well as researchers who focus on health disparities.

scholarly journals Students’ Trust Formation and Credibility Judgements in Online Health Information – A Review Article

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmood Khosrowjerdi ◽  
Anneli Sundqvist
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Trust Formation ◽  
The Usa

Health information is a frequent subject for online information seeking. Research on the phenomenon has to a certain extent included students. This review, based on an analysis of 61 articles, shows the current state of the art of research on students’ trust in online health information. The review covers methodological approaches and findings of previous previous empirical studies: research design; trustworthy health information sources; credibility assessment; and factors impacting on trust formation. The analysis of research designs reveals that the survey method was most frequent, but small qualitative studies were also occurring. More than half of the studies were administered in the USA, while only a smaller part concerned ‘non-Western’ countries. Female subjects were more frequent than male.The concept of trust was not always explicitly defined in the studies. The students' actual propensity to use internet was generally taken as an expression of trust. The antecedents of trust identified in the studies can be summarized as the perceived quality of the information, the perceived credibility of the source or source provider, the users’ general inclination to trust, the actual use of information, and the perceived intelligibility of the information. The findings show that Internet was among the main sources for health information, but parents or other family members, friends, schools, health professionals were also frequent sources of health information, and students were not immediately accepting online information as trustworthy. The students’ trust and credibility judgments were influenced by social and demographic, cultural, psychological, knowledge and skills-related, and source, system and content-related factors. Governmental and organizational websites were reported as the most trustful sources, although some issues regarding website features and presentation of content were reported as barriers. Easy access were of importance for using a particular resource, but there seemed to be a learning effect impacting on seeking behaviour and trust formation. 

scholarly journals A Prospective Analysis of Health Information Portals in Four Years

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (13) ◽  
pp. 4761
Author(s):  
Hanna Choi ◽  
Soo-Kyoung Lee
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
The United States ◽  
Service Characteristic ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Service Function

Objectives: We examined 17 health information portals to determine the status of web-based health information services in the United States (USA), South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), and Australia. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal trends in 35 items of online health information over four years among representative health information portals (eight based in the USA, seven in South Korea, one in the UK, and one in Australia), focusing on external portal structure, content scope, service characteristic, and service function with four stakeholder groups of six stakeholders. Results: The most notable change was in the service items, and overall, in 44.1% of total items: 17.6% in service characteristic, 41.2% in external portal structure, 58.8% in service function, and 58.8% in content scope change. More specifically, these changes included increases in the “mobile application utility” (service function), “use of personal health records” on public health portals (content scope change), “Charts and videos” (service characteristic), and “renewal date” (external portal structure). Conclusions: This review of existing health portals will be a footnote for enabling health care providers to confirm whether the needs of consumers are reflected on their website with high reliability. Furthermore, these findings will help to enhance the quality of portals by delivering relevant information to stakeholders and to the consumers of online health information.

scholarly journals Literacy skills, language use, and online health information seeking among Hispanic adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (8) ◽  
pp. 1595-1600
Author(s):  
Roberto J. Millar ◽  
Shalini Sahoo ◽  
Takashi Yamashita ◽  
Phyllis A. Cummins
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Language Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Hispanic Adults ◽  
Online Health Information Seeking

scholarly journals Factors influencing online health information seeking behavior among patients in Kwahu West Municipal, Nkawkaw, Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richmond Dery Nangsangna ◽  
Frances Da-Costa Vroom
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Online Health Information Seeking

Over the years, there has been a lot of transformation in the way health care is delivered and how individuals access health. Rapid growth in technology has been attributed to the advancement. The internet has played a key role in the delivery of health care and serves currently as a huge source of health information to individuals regardless of their location, language or time.This cross sectional study was conducted in the Kwahu West Municipal to determine factors influencing online health information seeking behaviors among patients. Three hospitals in the municipality were purposively selected for the study.  Outpatients attending these facilities were systematically selected. Data was collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire.The study findings revealed that internet usage rate among patients was 85.8%. However, only 35.7% of patients ever used the internet to access health information. Sex, education and average monthly income were significant factors associated with online health information seeking. The study also showed that, computer and internet experience factors increased the probability of using internet for health information. After adjusting for confounding factors, being employed, earning higher income and owning computer were positive predictors of online health information seeking.It is important to explore other means of reducing the disparity in information access by improving skill and health literacy among the low social class who cannot afford internet ready devices. Health care providers should recognize that patients are using the internet for health information and should be prepared to assist and promote internet user skills among their patients.

scholarly journals Use of Health Information Varies by Region Among Older Adults in the U.S.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142199719
Author(s):  
Arlesia Mathis ◽  
Ronica N. Rooks ◽  
Jacqueline Wiltshire
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
Health Information Sources

Objective: To examine geographic variations in health information use among older adults in the United States. Methods: We compared 15,531 adults (age 45 and older) across four U.S. regions. Descriptive analyses were conducted to assess health information seeking and use by year. The relationship between health information seeking or use and regional changes were assessed using binomial logistic regression. Binomial models were adjusted by socio-demographics, chronic conditions, and health information sources. Magnitude and direction of relationships were assessed using adjusted odds ratios (aORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values. Results: Only the Northeast region showed increases in health information seeking (3.8%) and use (4.5%) among older adults. However adjusted models showed those living in the Northeast were 28% less likely to use health information to maintain their health and 32% less likely to use health information to treat illness. Conclusion: As a result of the current pandemic, older adults are facing a growing burden from health care expenses. Inability to gather and use health information for personal safety or self care can potentially increase inequalities in health, especially for older adults without personal health care providers.

scholarly journals Perceived Efficiency Outcomes, Sources and Awareness of Online Health Information among the Elderly during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8121
Author(s):  
Gizell Green ◽  
Riki Tesler ◽  
Cochava Sharon
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Health Information ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Safety Skills ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Information Efficiency ◽  
Online Sources

The Internet and social media are crucial platforms for health information. Factors such as the efficiency of online health information, the outcomes of seeking online health information and the awareness of reliable sources have become increasingly important for the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine differences between elderly individuals’ income above and below the average monthly wage in relation to their online health information efficiency and the outcomes of seeking online health information; to evaluate types of online information sources with online health information efficiency and the outcomes of seeking online health information; and to explore online health information efficiency as a mediator between health status and awareness of online sources. A cross-sectional study design was conducted with 336 elderly participants age 65 or older. The participants volunteered to complete a questionnaire. No differences were found between the two groups regarding efficiency in retrieving health information from official online health sites and Google. Perceived efficiency mediated health status and awareness of online sources. In these challenging times, it is important to provide a tailor-made education strategy plan for reliable sources of online health information for the elderly, in order to enhance their technology safety skills. It is also important to explore other mediating variables between health status and awareness of online sources.

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