Javier Alvarez-Galvez1, Jose A Salinas-Perez2,3, Ilaria Montagni4, Luis Salvador-Carulla3. 1. Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology, and Public Health, University of Cadiz, Cádiz, Spain. javieralvarezgalvez@gmail.com. 2. Department of Quantitative Methods, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Seville, Spain. 3. Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. 4. Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Inserm-University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify which are the socio-demographic factors that can describe health information users' profiles in Europe and assess which are the factors distinguishing users and non-users and their association with the use of health-related online information. METHODS: Data from the Flash Eurobarometer No. 404 (2014) was analysed through a multilevel logistic regression model and a propensity score matching. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the use of the Internet for health information according to gender, age, education, long-term illness and health-related knowledge. Thus, some digital divides persisted in the use of health information online. Results showed that a poor health status was associated with a higher use of the Internet for health purposes only for people having chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings show a need to increase people's eHealth literacy, especially for males over 45 years old not suffering from a long-term illness. In order to limit the misuse of poor or untrustworthy health information that might contribute to higher health disparities, special interest should be focused on population socio-demographic characteristics.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify which are the socio-demographic factors that can describe health information users' profiles in Europe and assess which are the factors distinguishing users and non-users and their association with the use of health-related online information. METHODS: Data from the Flash Eurobarometer No. 404 (2014) was analysed through a multilevel logistic regression model and a propensity score matching. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the use of the Internet for health information according to gender, age, education, long-term illness and health-related knowledge. Thus, some digital divides persisted in the use of health information online. Results showed that a poor health status was associated with a higher use of the Internet for health purposes only for people having chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings show a need to increase people's eHealth literacy, especially for males over 45 years old not suffering from a long-term illness. In order to limit the misuse of poor or untrustworthy health information that might contribute to higher health disparities, special interest should be focused on population socio-demographic characteristics.
Entities:
Keywords:
Digital divide; Europe; Health information; Internet; eHealth literacy
Authors: Theresa Devine; Jordan Broderick; Linda M Harris; Huijuan Wu; Sandra Williams Hilfiker Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2016-08-02 Impact factor: 5.428