Access To Health Information Research Articles

Using a social media based intervention to enhance eye health awareness of members of a deprived community in India

Deprived communities in India experience a range of health challenges as the result of a mixture of lack of access to information technologies, and difficulties in accessing health information and provision. This article reports on an intervention centred on the use of the social media platform, WhatsApp, in order to promote eye health communication. The case study based research was conducted in the village of Chowbaga, close to Kolkata, in West Bengal, with women participants who had low levels of education and high levels of unemployment. The women were invited to participate in a WhatsApp intervention that comprised five educational sessions. Participants were recruited through the local school that their children attended. Shortly after the conclusion of the intervention, focus groups were conducted with the participants in order to develop an understanding of participants views of the beneficial characteristics of such a social media based intervention, and, more specifically, the benefits of WhatsApp in increasing awareness of eye problems within their community. This research demonstrates and summarises the benefits of WhatsApp as a communications medium for deprived communities, as well as its potential for increasing awareness of eye problems. In particular, participants were of the view that future access to WhatsApp and other mobile-based platforms empowered them to take better care of their own and their family’s health.

Factors Related to the Level of Health Literacy in Patients with Hypertension: Literature Review

Introduction: Hypertension is the leading cause of death worldwide. People with hypertension often receive health education about their health but cannot implement it. Patients with hypertension must be responsible for self-management related to the level of a person's health literacy, such as efforts that should they take so that the illness they suffer from is not getting worse. The aim of this study is to determine the factors related to the level of health literacy in hypertensive patients.Methods: Search for articles and journals conducted in the last ten years, from 2010-2020 and published on the internet using Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, Pubmed, Google Scholar, Portal Garuda, and SINTA by using chosen keyword adjusted to the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) and Indonesian Thesaurus, namely, "factors", "health literacy", " After analysis and tabulation from some of the articles and journals, there are several factors related to the level of health literacy in hypertensive patients such as, education, age, job, income, knowledge, acculturation, self-management efficacy, HBPM (Home Blood Pressure Measurement), regular use of medicine, systolic blood pressure, health service access, health information access, and social support.Results: There are several factors related to the level of health literacy in patients with hypertension after analyzing journals or articles .. This study is expected to increase knowledge for nurses about the level of health literacy of hypertensive patients. acculturation, self-management efficacy, HBPM (Home Blood Pressure Measurement), regular use of medicine, systolic blood pressure, health service access, health information access, and social support. Discussion: There are several factors related to the level of health literacy in patients with hypertension after analyzing journals or articles .. This study is expected to increase knowledge for nurses about the level of health literacy of hypertensive patients. acculturation, self-management efficacy, HBPM (Home Blood Pressure Measurement), regular use of medicine, systolic blood pressure, health service access, health information access, and social support.Conclusion: There are several factors related to the level of health literacy in patients with hypertension after analyzing journals or articles. This study is expected to increase knowledge for nurses about the level of health literacy of hypertensive patients.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF PATIENTS ATTENDING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SETTING AT NATIONAL GUARD, DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA

The trend of utilizing social media (SM) is growing continuously, as are its uses. Around 2.31 billion people globally are SM users, delivering a penetration of 31%. The aim of this study is to focus on the use of SM as a source of health information seeking behavior, its various implications on the attitude of patients attending Primary Health Care (PHC) settings at National Guard, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, toward health, and the level of trust in the medical information derived from SM networks. This cross-sectional study was conducted at PHC clinics under the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs from June to August 2019; a self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect patients’ responses. Of 383 completed questionnaires, over 97% indicated patients utilized SM. Patient demographics such as age, gender, and education were signicantly related to SM use for accessing health-related information. Younger participants utilized SM more (P=0.002), while those who were university graduates spent more time on SM (P<0.0021). Furthermore, females were more likely to get in touch with their physicians through SM (P=0.006). SM use was high among the participants and their demographics signicantly inuenced their behavior. Health care providers should provide their patients with the appropriate methods of accessing health information through SM.

Preparing for an American College of Surgeons Virtual Trauma Reverification Site Visit: One Center's Experience

The American College of Surgeons (ACS), Committee on Trauma, trauma center verification process is designed to help hospitals improve trauma care. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing restrictions, performing virtual site visits was piloted. The purpose of this article is to describe the first pilot ACS pediatric trauma center virtual reverification visit performed in the United States. This is a descriptive review of a 2020 pilot virtual Level I pediatric trauma center reverification visit. In-person site visit checklists were altered to adjust to the virtual format. All documents, prereview questionnaire, patient charts, and resource documents were prepared electronically. Collaboration with the departments of information technology, clinical education and informatics, and the general counsel's office prepared the infrastructure to allow reviewers access to protected health information. Multiple hospital departments collaborated to facilitate the transition to an electronic format. Organized virtual meeting room scheduling, communications, and coordination between the ACS staff, the reviewers, and the various hospital departments resulted in a successful virtual visit. Lessons learned and opportunities for improvement were identified for this first-ever pilot virtual pediatric trauma center reverification site visit. Once the information technology logistic questions were answered, allowing reviewers protected health information access, the general program and document preparation for a virtual trauma reverification site visit was similar to an in-person site visit. Although the review day agenda was similar, execution challenges were identified.

Creating Health Information for Individuals with Hearing Loss


 
 
 Creating accessible health information (HI) decreases inequities, empowers individuals to make informed health decisions, and promote cues to action for potential health behavior changes. However, HI may not be created with accommodations to allow engagement in HI for some populations, such as indi- viduals with hearing loss. Therefore, developing HI based on specific guidelines such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can lend itself useful in HI development. The purpose of this article is to explain UDL guidelines of representation and how they can be incorporated into HI so that it is accessible to a wide audience, including with hearing loss.
 
 

Assessment of the Quality of Health Information for Good Health Care: A Case of Kerugoya Level 4 Hospital, Kirinyaga County

Improving healthcare services has been paramount to both the national and county governments in Kenya. However, this broad national goal has failed to be achieved within the health sector in Kenya due to dilapidated systems, lack of coordination and poor quality of the health records within the industry. The current study sought to establish the influence of quality health records on improving healthcare in Kerugoya Level IV hospital. Specifically, the research focused on the creation of health information, relevance of health information, completeness and accuracy of patient’s health information and accessibility of health information on the improving of health services. The research was grounded on the negativity theory. The research adopted a quantitative design with a population of 288 staff members being targeted in the study. The sample respondents were 165 staff members with both quantitative questionnaires and interview schedules being utilized in the research. The study adopted quantitative techniques in the data analysis and thematical analysis. The findings showed that 87% of the sample respondents were able to participate in the study. The research concludes that creation of health information, relevance of information and accessibility of health records are significant predictors to improved healthcare services. The research revealed that the level of management support and resource availability are positive and significant predictors of the level of improved healthcare services in Kerugoya level IV hospital. The study findings noted there is a positive but insignificant relationship between completeness and accuracy of health information and improved healthcare services within the level IV hospital. The study recommends that the hospitals should improve the digitalization of health records which will foster storage and accessibility. The hospitals should also enhance coordination with the national government to improve their health infrastructure.

Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS.gov)

As an initiative of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) is a recurring, cross-sectional national survey to assess how adults in the United States access and use health information, their perceptions of health risk, and their participation in health-promoting or health-risking behaviors with an emphasis on cancer-related topics. The HINTS website (<https://hints.cancer.gov>) gives free public access to all HINTS survey materials, data, and analyses. HINTS data can be used to inform the design and evaluation of cancer control and other health related communication programs, and serve as a starting point for further independent research. This article provides an overview of the resources available at (<https://hints.cancer.gov>) and suggests factors to bear in mind while navigating the site.

E-Health Literacy: A Skill Needed in the Coronavirus Outbreak Crisis

The article's abstract is not available.

Measuring the constructs of health literacy in the Iranian adult Kurdish population

BackgroundHealth literacy is essential to self-care, which is an important precedence to improve the quality of healthcare services and a key factor in health. It also plays a pivotal role in decision-making in various health fields. Therefore, policymakers consider health literacy to be a primary tool to promote community health and enhance the proper use of healthcare services. The present study aimed to assess the health literacy status of the Kurdish population in Kurdistan province, Iran based on the nine constructs of the Iranian health literacy questionnaire (IHLQ) individually and collectively and determine the significant effects of demographic variables on health literacy.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on the Iranian adult Kurdish population living in the urban and rural areas of Kurdistan province, willing to participate during April 2017–September 2018. Data were collected using the IHLQ. The sample size was determined to be 980 people, with 490 in the rural areas and 490 in the urban areas. The researchers visited potential participants at their doorstep, asking them to complete the questionnaire. The willing participants were assisted in completing the IHLQ in case they were illiterate; the questions and answers were read by the researchers to the participants, and the responses were recorded.ResultsAbout 50.4% (n = 494) of the Kurdish population had poor health literacy, while 34.0% (n = 333) had average health literacy, and 15.6% (n = 153) had good health literacy. Meanwhile, 60.2% of the participants obtained poor scores in the construct of health information access, and 74.1% (n = 726) obtained poor scores in the individual empowerment construct. In addition, the analysis of the adjusted model indicated that education level (lowest β = 7.42; P = 0.001) and in male participants (β = − 1.10; P = 0.001) were significantly associated with higher health literacy.ConclusionAccording to the results, the investigated Kurdish population mostly had average or low health literacy. Therefore, proper strategies should be adopted to enhance the health literacy of this population and increase their access to health information. Furthermore, effective training should be provided to these individuals (especially vulnerable social groups) to improve their individual capabilities to compensate for poor health literacy.

What's being recommended to patients on social media? A cross-sectional analysis of acne treatments on YouTube

What's being recommended to patients on social media? A cross-sectional analysis of acne treatments on YouTube

Determinants of Acute Respiratory Infection Among Children Under-Five Years in Indonesia

BackgroundAcute respiratory infection (ARI) among children under five years has been identified as a risk factor for child morbidity, leading to child mortality in Indonesia. Many factors may cause ARI; however, determinants associated with ARI remain unclear in Indonesia. ObjectivesThis study sought to analyze the determinants of ARI among children aged under five years in Indonesia. MethodsThis study was cross-sectional and utilized secondary data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). A total of 15,993 children under five years old were selected as respondents. Chi-squared test and binary logistic regression were used to examine the determinants of ARI among children under five years in Indonesia. ResultsChildren aged 1 year [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.04–1.97], children aged 2 years [OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.12–2.11], mother's occupation [OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01–2.154], poorest wealth index [OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.26–2.89], poor [OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.01–2.21], region of residence: Western Indonesia [OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.28–2.00], Middle of Indonesia [OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.44–3.33] were significantly associated with ARI among children under five years in Indonesia. ConclusionsThis study revealed that the determinants of ARI among children under five years in Indonesia remain related to the socio-demographic aspect. This research highlighted that the family's and the living area's wealth index remains essential in improving children's health outcomes. Practice implicationsOur findings support increasing awareness of the low-income family through adequate information and health promotion. Advancing the feasibility, accessibility, and affordability of health information and health services across all Indonesian regions should be strengthened.

PENGARUH PENERAPAN APLIKASI CHATBOT SEBAGAI MEDIA INFORMASI ONLINE TERHADAP KEPUASAN PENGGUNA LAYANAN KESEHATAN PRIMER DI MASA PANDEMIK COVID - 19

Background: During the pandemic, people who visit health services are afraid of being exposed to the corona virus. The public prefers to use digital services as evidenced by the increase in the use of digital services in the health and education sectors by 41% and 38%. In Indonesia, the use of telemedicine has been urged for use during the pandemic period, but it has not been realized because of constraints on the time and facilities available, especially in primary health. One of the simpler and more efficient applications is the chatbot application. Chatterbot (also known as chatbot or bots) is a computer program designed to balance intellectuals with one or more humans, both audio and text. Purpose: This study aims to test the effectiveness of using the chatbot application as an online information facility on the satisfaction level of primary health users. Method : This study used a pre-experimental research design with a one shot case study approach. The population in this study were the users of Kota Timur Public Health Center in Gorontalo City. The number of samples taken was 60 people through purposive sampling method. Result : After using chatbot, it was found that most of the respondents showed satisfaction in the very high range or excellent with a proportion of 73.3% (44 respondents), the average usability score was 89.9 (&gt; 70) which means that the level of usefulness of the application is at a very high range which indicates this application can be accepted or easy to use by the community. Conclusion; The chatbot application is very helpful for respondents in accessing health information and services during a pandemic and needs to be further developed for online media consultations on other types of health services.

Factors associated with a late visit to dentists by children: A cross-sectional community-based study in Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study aims to determine children's age at their first visit to dentists and factors associated with these visits. MethodsThis cross-sectional community survey-based study was conducted in 2019 during the events of the 10th Gulf Oral Health Week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All participants including visitors and dentists, with current or previous experience in caring for children aged six months to ten years, provided their consents for the study. ResultsAmong the visitors, 348 participated in the survey. Most children, aged three to ten years, first visited the dentist with complaints of pain and dental cavities. The risk of a late visit to the dentist increased (OR: 2.28; CI 95%: 1.01–5.14) among caregivers who did not help their children brush their teeth. Using the Internet for accessing health information negatively impacted the visits (OR: 27.00; CI 95% 1.26–57.35). While employed mothers took their children to the dentist at an earlier age (OR: 2.284; CI 95% 1.08–4.79), early visits were mostly missed by mothers with smaller families (OR: 0.043; CI 95% 0.48–0.98). ConclusionThe results of our study show that the caregiver's attitude, source of health information, employment, age, and number of children are risk factors associated with late visits to dentists.

075 (Mis)information in the Vasectomy Decision-Making Process: A Quality Appraisal of Vasectomy-Related Information on YouTube

Vasectomy is a safe, cost-effective form of long-term contraception that is markedly underutilized in the United States (US). Misconceptions and lack of knowledge regarding the procedure in the general population and especially across racial and other demographic groups contribute to this underutilization. Pertinently, nearly three fourths (72%) of internet users have consulted the internet for health-related information[1] and smartphone utilization rates (e.g. access to the internet) in the US are similar across racial groups, presenting an equitable point of intervention and necessitating quality, accessible, and understandable health information on the internet regarding the vasectomy procedure. Nearly three fourths of all US adults say they have used YouTube[2], specifically, magnifying its importance as a source for quality health information regarding the vasectomy procedure and prompting evaluation of its current state.

Cross-Culture Online Knowledge Validation and the Exclusive Practice of Stem Cell Therapy

Increasingly, people are turning to the internet to access health information despite reports that sites vary in terms of their quality, especially when the health practice is emerging or exclusive, such as stem cell and umbilical cord blood therapy. Given the controversy, patients have to depend on available sources to validate their knowledge prior to going for these practices as treatments. This study explores how the internet supports the spread of stem cell therapy practices, viewing it from a knowledge validation theoretical perspective. The study posits hypotheses differentiating digital and human sources, trust in the media source, and exploratory and verification sources on knowledge validation for exclusive practices. Primary survey data was collected from the US and Kuwait. Key findings suggest that knowledge verification and trust in the internet influences knowledge conversion and the practice decision of patients for less practice-oriented knowledge, and this effect is higher for Kuwait than USA, and more so for stem cell than umbilical cord blood practice.

Health Information-seeking through Personal Health Records among Women Susceptible to Breast Cancer

Objective: Health information-seeking is an essential component of health-related behavior and decision-making. Access to personal health records (PHRs), offered by healthcare providers, is an essential tool to access health information. However, little is known about predictive factors of use of PHRs as a medium of health information among women. In this study, we explored health information-seeking’s decision processes through PHRs among middle-aged and older women susceptible to developing breast cancer. Methods: We used data from the 2014 Health Information National Trends Survey in the United States and employed a 2-part Hurdle model. The study sample included 1159 women aged 40 to 75 years. Results: The Hurdle estimation found that health information-seeking through PHRs consists of 2 distinct decision processes: (1) the use of PHRs and (2) the frequency of use; different sets of factors are associated with each decision process. Women’s demographic characteristics were found to be the primary factors for PHR use. In contrast, socioeconomic factors, salience, self-efficacy, and general health status were more likely to be the main factors affecting the frequency of use. Conclusions: Based on the findings, providing greater access to PHRs to women, particularly those with health needs or concerns, should be considered by policymakers. Additionally, the issue of the digital divide in PHR use should be addressed.

The relationship between college athletes' health literacy and COVID-19 anxiety levels

Background and Study Aim. Health literacy is the ability to access health information, understand, evaluate and apply health information. The health literacy of athletes may be determinant in the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic process and in the level of the impact of this health-related anxiety factor. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine whether there is a relationship between college athletes' COVID-19 anxiety levels and their health literacy levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods. College athletes between the ages of 18 and 32 participated in the study and the average age was 24.2. A total of 234 elite collage athletes participated in the study. 133 of the participants were males and 101 were females. COVID-19 Anxiety Scale was used to determine the COVID-19 anxiety states and Health Literacy index was used to the level of health literacy of the participants in the COVID-19 pandemic process. Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis were performed for statistical analyses. Significance level in analysis has been accepted as p. &lt; 05. Results. Our findings revealed that there were significant relationships between elite athletes' health literacy sub-dimension scores and COVID-anxiety level. In addition, it was determined that access to information and understanding information sub-dimensions from health literacy sub-dimensions predicted elite college athletes’ the COVID-19 anxiety level at 21.2%. As a result, elite college athletes had low levels of anxiety against COVID-19, and this situation associated with their high level of health literacy. Conclusions. The increase of elite college athletes' the level of health literacy will decrease their anxiety levels. It will be beneficial to implement training programs that can increase their health literacy levels in order to reduce the impact of the unexpected health crisis due to COVID-19, especially the anxiety levels of college athletes.

Barriers and opportunities to using health information in policy implementation: The case of adolescent and youth friendly health services in the Western Cape.

BackgroundThe production, use and exchange of health information is an essential part of the health services, as it is used to inform daily decision-making and to develop new policies, guidelines and programmes. However, there is little insight into how health care workers (HCWs) get access to and use health information when implementing new health programmes.AimThis study explored the multifaceted role of health information within policy implementation processes and aimed to understand the complexities experienced by HCWs who need to develop adolescent health profiles (AHPs), a criterion of implementing a larger Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services Programme (AYFSP).SettingThis case study was undertaken in Gugulethu, a peri-urban, low-income neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa.MethodsData were collected through ethnographic qualitative methods, including participant observation, interviews and workshops, and 15 participants were enrolled for this purpose.ResultsFindings showed that HCWs experienced different barriers when accessing information to develop the AHPs, including a lack of access to databases, a lack of support and inadequate guidelines. Nevertheless, HCWs were resourceful in using informal information and building strategic relationships to navigate and gain access to the necessary data to develop AHPs.ConclusionThis case study provided insights into the practical difficulties and innovative strategies which arise when HCWs attempt to access and use health information within a real-life health programme. Findings highlighted the need for more training, support and guidance for HCWs to improve the meaningful use of health information during policy implementation processes and to strengthen health services in South African primary care clinics.

A survey of health information source use in rural communities identifies complex health literacy barriers

Access to health information is critical for good health. However, residents of rural communities may face more difficulties in accessing health information than residents in rural areas. Problems may be structural, socio-economic and cultural. The study assessed sources and challenges concerning health information access and use among residents of five rural communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were elicited from forty respondents through focus group discussions (FGD). Elicited data were thematically analysed. Several informal and primary information sources were often used. Residents used the radio to access health information, and they also visited hospitals/health centres, asked doctors, participated in health sensitisation programmes and consulted traditional herbalists. However, the barriers included financial problems, infrastructure problems (bad road network, unreliable electricity supplies), living far from health centres and finding suitable health information in their own language. These are individual and systemic/structural challenges. The focus group participants were aware of the importance of reliable health information sources, but often had to use a mixture of sources. Traditional herbalists were valued sources (more available and affordable). Health literacy problems concern education and language. Service provision could be improved to make health information more efficient and effective for rural communities, by building on what works (e.g. health sensitisation programmes, radio programmes providing health education) and providing more multi-lingual services. The study also confirmed the importance of evaluating traditional herbal medicine.

Investigation of Digital Technology Use in the Transition to Parenting: Qualitative Study.

BackgroundThe transition to parenting—that is, the journey from preconception through pregnancy and postpartum periods—is one of the most emotionally charged and information-intense times for individuals and families. While there is a developing body of literature on the use and impact of digital technology on the information behaviors of children, adolescents, and young adults, personal use of digital technology during the transition to parenting and in support of infants to 2 years of age is relatively understudied.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to enhance our understanding of the ways digital technologies contribute to the experience of the transition to parenting, particularly the role these technologies play in organizing and structuring emerging pregnancy and early parenting practices.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study was conducted to understand new parents’ experiences with and uses of digital technology during 4 stages—prenatal, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum—of their transition to becoming a new parent. A purposive sampling strategy was implemented using snowball sampling techniques to recruit participants who had become a parent within the previous 24 months. Focus groups and follow-up interviews were conducted using semistructured interview guides that inquired about parents’ type and use of technologies for self and family health. Transcribed audio recordings were thematically analyzed.ResultsA total of 10 focus groups and 3 individual interviews were completed with 26 participants. While recruitment efforts targeted parents of all genders and sexual orientations, all participants identified as heterosexual women. Participants reported prolific use of digital technologies to direct fertility (eg, ovulation timing), for information seeking regarding development of their fetus, to prepare for labor and delivery, and in searching for a sense of community during postpartum. Participants expressed their need for these technologies to assist them in the day-to-day demands of preparing for and undertaking parenting, yet expressed concerns about their personal patterns of use and the potential negative impacts of their use. The 3 themes generated from the data included: “Is this normal; is this happening to you?!”, “Am I having a heart attack; what is this?”, and “Anyone can put anything on Wikipedia”: Managing the Negative Impacts of Digital Information.ConclusionsDigital technologies were used by mothers to track menstrual cycles during preconception; monitor, document, and announce a pregnancy during the prenatal stage; prepare for delivery during labor/birth stage; and to help babies sleep, document/announce their birth, and connect to parenting resources during the postpartum stage. Mothers used digital technologies to reassure themselves that their experiences were normal or to seek help when they were abnormal. Digital technologies provided mothers with convenient means to access health information from a range of sources, yet mothers were apprehensive about the credibility and trustworthiness of the information they retrieved. Further research should seek to understand how men and fathers use digital technologies during their transition to parenting. Additionally, further research should critically examine how constant access to information affects mothers’ perceived need to self-monitor and further understand the unintended health consequences of constant surveillance on new parents.