Health Information Preferences Research Articles

Trusting Social Media as a Source of Health Information: Comparison Among U.S., Korea, and Hong Kong

The Internet has increasingly become a popular source of health information by connecting individuals with health content, experts, and support. More and more, individuals turn to social media and Internet sites to share health information and experiences. Although online health information seeking occurs worldwide, limited empirical studies exist examining cross-cultural differences in perceptions about user-generated, experience-based information compared to expertise-based information sources. The aim was to investigate if cultural variations exist in patterns of online health information seeking, specifically in perceptions of online health information sources. It was hypothesized that Koreans and Hongkongers, compared to Americans, would be more likely to trust and use experience-based knowledge shared in social Internet sites such as social media and online support groups. Conversely, Americans, compared to Koreans and Hongkongers, would value expertise-based knowledge prepared and approved by doctors or professional health providers more. A survey questionnaire was developed in English first and then translated into Korean and Chinese. The back translation method ensured the standardization of questions. Surveys were administered using a standardized recruitment strategy and data collection methods. 885 participants living in metropolitan areas from three countries, United States (n = 308), Korea (n = 238), and Hong Kong (n = 339) participated in the study. We found significant cultural differences in information processing preferences for online health information. A planned contrast test revealed that Koreans and Hongkongers showed more trust in experience-based health information sources (blogs, t (451.50) =11.21, P

Segmentation of Mexican-Heritage Immigrants: Acculturation Typology and Language Preference in Health Information Seeking.

With the fast growing number of Mexican immigrants in the United States, more attention is needed to understand the relationship between acculturation and language preference in health information seeking. Latent class analysis provides one useful approach to understanding the diversity in sample of Mexican immigrants (N=238). Based on 13 linguistic, psychological and behavioral indicators for acculturation, four discrete subgroups were characterized: (1) Less acculturated, (2) Moderately acculturated, (3) Highly acculturated, (4) Selectively bicultural. A Chi-square test revealed that three sub-groups were significantly different in language preference when seeking health information. Less acculturated and moderately acculturated groups sought health information in Spanish, whereas the highly acculturated group preferred English for health information. Selectively bicultural group preferred bilingual health information. Implications for health campaign strategies using audience segmentation are discussed.

Latino immigrant day laborer perceptions of occupational safety and health information preferences.

We address immigrant day laborers' experiences with occupational safety in the construction industry in New Orleans, and opinions about content and method of communication for educational interventions to reduce occupational risks. In 2011, we conducted seven focus groups with 48 Spanish-speaking day laborers (8 women, 40 men, 35 years on average). Focus group results are based on thematic analysis. Most employers did not provide safety equipment, threatened to dismiss workers who asked for it, and did not provide health insurance. Attitudes toward accepting unsafe work conditions varied. Women faced lower pay and hiring difficulties than men. Day laborers preferred audio format over written, and content about consequences from and equipment for different jobs/exposures. Day laborers have common occupational experiences, but differences existed by gender, literacy and sense of control over safety. Day laborer information preferences and use of media needs further studying. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:476-485, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An Assessment of Canadian Criminalized Women's Health Information Preferences and Health Literacy Skills

This research assessed criminalized women's health literacy skills. Health literacy is conceptualized as one's ability to access, understand, appraise, communicate, and act upon health information. Estimates of health literacy skill for criminalized women in Canada do not exist. The research question that guided this study was: what are the assessed health literacy skills of criminalized women? A cross-sectional survey design assessed participant demographics, health information preferences, and health literacy skills. The Newest Vital Sign (NVS) was administered to incarcerated women in Ontario, Canada. Descriptive statistics of demographic data and assessed health literacy skills were reported. Eighty-five women with a mean age of 29 years participated. The majority (N= 50, 65%) reported an income less than $14,999 (CAN) and 81% (N=68) reported their education level as a high school diploma or less. A range of health literacy skill (inadequate (51%), marginal (15%), adequate (34%)) were documented with a mean NVS score of 2.79± 1.75/6. The results demonstrated participants' had limited health literacy skills, which have far reaching implications for the development of health resources that strive to accommodate diverse health literacy skill and lived complexity. The results support population level reports of limited health literacy skill among marginalized Canadians.

An Assessment of Canadian Criminalized Women's Health Information Preferences and Health Literacy Skills

An Assessment of Canadian Criminalized Women's Health Information Preferences and Health Literacy Skills

Impact of gender on patient preferences for technology-based behavioral interventions.

Introduction:Technology-based interventions offer an opportunity to address high-risk behaviors in the emergency department (ED). Prior studies suggest behavioral health strategies are more effective when gender differences are considered. However, the role of gender in ED patient preferences for technology-based interventions has not been examined. The objective was to assess whether patient preferences for technology-based interventions varies by gender.Methods:This was a secondary analysis of data from a systematic survey of adult (≥18 years of age), English-speaking patients in a large urban academic ED. Subjects were randomly selected during a purposive sample of shifts. The iPad survey included questions on access to technology, preferences for receiving health information, and demographics. We defined “technology-based” as web, text message, e-mail, social networking, or DVD; “non-technology-based” was defined as in-person, written materials, or landline. We calculated descriptive statistics and used univariate tests to compare men and women. Gender-stratified multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between other demographic factors (age, race, ethnicity, income) and technology-based preferences for information on specific risky behaviors.Results:Of 417 participants, 45.1% were male. There were no significant demographic differences between men and women. Women were more likely to use computers (90.8% versus 81.9%; p=0.03), Internet (66.8% versus 59.0%; p=0.03), and social networks (53.3% versus 42.6%; p=0.01). 89% of men and 90% of women preferred technology-based formats for at least type of health information; interest in technology-based for individual health topics did not vary by gender. Concern about confidentiality was the most common barrier to technology-based use for both genders. Multivariate analysis showed that for smoking, depression, drug/alcohol use, and injury prevention, gender modified the relationship between other demographic factors and preference for technology-based health information; e.g., older age decreases interest in technology-based information for smoking cessation in women but not in men (aOR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.99 versus aOR 1.00, 95% CI 0.97-1.03).Conclusion:Our findings suggest ED patients' gender may affect technology preferences. Receptivity to technology-based interventions may be a complex interaction between gender and other demographic factors. Considering gender may help target ED patient populations most likely to be receptive to technology-based interventions.

"These issues aren't talked about at home": a qualitative study of the sexual and reproductive health information preferences of adolescents in Vanuatu.

BackgroundOnset of sexual activity during adolescence is common in Vanuatu, however access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information is limited. Improving adolescents’ knowledge about SRH is necessary to improve health outcomes, however little is known about the information needs and preferences of adolescents in the Pacific to inform policy and programs in this region.MethodsSixty-six focus group discussions were conducted with 341 male and female adolescents aged 15-19 years from rural and urban communities on two islands of Vanuatu. Twelve key-informant interviews were also conducted with policymakers and health service providers. Data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.ResultsMuch of the SRH information targeting adolescents focused on sexually transmitted infections and HIV. While this information was valued, important gaps were identified including prevention of pregnancy, condom use, puberty, sexuality and relationships. Peer educators and health workers were adolescents’ preferred sources of information because they were considered knowledgeable and trustworthy. Parents were not a common source but were preferred, particularly by girls, despite considerable socio-cultural barriers. Schools were an important but underutilised source of information, as were a range of media sources.ConclusionsProviding adolescents with comprehensive SRH information can have life-long protective benefits, however there are important content gaps in information currently provided in Vanuatu. The broad range of sources preferred by adolescents highlights the need to strengthen information provision through multiple channels to reach in and out-of-school youth and respond to individual needs and contexts.

Frequent Internet Users May Prefer More Health Care Information and Participation in Decision-Making

Objective – To determine whether there is a significant relationship between patients’ frequency of Internet use and their health care information and decision-making preferences.
 
 Design – Cross-sectional questionnaire survey.
 
 Settings – Undergraduate classes at a large state university and senior-oriented computer classes at public libraries and senior centers.
 
 Subjects – 438 respondents, including 226 undergraduates (mean age 20) and 212 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 72). 
 
 Methods – Respondents were administered the Health Information Wants Questionnaire (HIWQ), a 21-item instrument designed to measure preferences for 7 types of health information and decision-making, in group settings. 
 
 Main Results – The younger age group spent significantly more time online compared to the older age group. Frequent Internet users in both populations expressed an overall preference for more information regarding diagnosis, but less information for psychosocial and health care provider concerns. Internet use was positively correlated to the overall preference rating, leading the researchers to suggest that, as a whole, regular Internet users prefer more information and independence in decision-making.
 
 Conclusions – The study concludes that Internet use frequency is associated with an overall preference for obtaining health information and participating in decision making. Internet use as related to different types of preferences is inconsistent. Age was not found to be associated with the overall preference rating, and time spent online is proposed to be a stronger indicator of respondents’ health information preferences. The authors suggest that future studies utilizing the HIWQ take a longitudinal approach in order to better track how patient preferences for information may evolve over time.

Health information preferences among Hispanic/Latino immigrants in the U.S. rural Midwest

We investigated whether length of residence and other socio-demographic factors affect how rural Hispanic/Latino immigrants in the U.S. prefer to receive general health information. As part of a federally-funded participatory research project, we surveyed 894 adult Hispanics who were recruited through schools, community-based organizations (CBO) and faith-based organizations (FBO) in six rural communities of Illinois. Data suggest that workshops in Spanish at community settings are the most preferred health information strategy and home visits the least. Preference for these two strategies decreased significantly in the second generation, while preference for mailed printed materials increased. We further explored the role of length of residence in the U.S. on 'in-person' and 'impersonal' health information preferences controlling for other relevant socio-demographic factors finding that first generation and less educated Hispanic immigrants' prefer 'in-person' strategies. These findings suggest that rural health organizations and practitioners should implement not only culturally-appropriate but also acculturation-sensitive approaches to address Hispanic/Latino immigrants' specific health information needs.

Building Resilience to Climate Change and Health: Can Adolescents in Urban Slums be the Answer?

Climate change and health hazards can be tackled by developing potential of adolescents from urban slums. The paper describes profile of adolescents in slums of flood vulnerable Surat city along with their climate change inclusive health perspective. Mixed methods were used: survey, focused groups and flood memory picturing. Adolescent shared 1/5th slum population. Assessment on schooling and health scales favours considering them as entitled resilience providers. Adolescents’ health perspective ranged from concrete information, say 90 percent named vector borne diseases (climate change associated health problems); to Abstract health concept. Slum experience enabled them to link health with climate change induced migration, livelihood, water scarcity, poverty, weather events and conflicts as stress sources. They recognized personal and environmental behaviour as health determinants. Peers, television and teachers were preferred health information sources. Perceived risk enabled adolescents to think possible mitigation and adaptation actions. Handholding can prove adolescents as resilience agents.

Making decisions in a complex information environment: evidential preference and information we trust.

BackgroundInformed decision making requires that those individuals making health and health-care decisions understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with particular health options. Research and theory suggest factors that contribute to the decision-making process: data on the likelihood of risks and benefits, level of certainty about outcomes, familiarity with the health issue, characteristics of information sources and presentation, and patient values and beliefs. As the health information environment increases in complexity, it becomes important to understand how interactions among information sources, family, and friends may affect the processing of health information and choices and their alignment with available evidence.AnalysisThis paper discusses the potential interactions among social networks, information sources and evidential preferences for health information as they influence health decisions. The role of family and friends who increasingly search for health information for others and the potential for information filtering influenced by second- or third-party attitudes and preferences is explored. Evidential preferences suggestive of the potential value of social math (creatively presented statistics) strategies for presenting data, the information-processing factors that may make personal experiences, anecdotes and testimonials that are often shared within social networks and may exert powerful influences on health decisions are examined in this article.ConclusionsThe paper concludes with recommendations for revised health-communication practices, health professional training to improve patient understanding in the clinical encounter, and directions for future research. Simple, direct, and socially relevant communications that avoid conflicts with the values and beliefs of the individual, as well as those of the family and social network, are recommended.

Preferences for Gender-Targeted Health Information

No prior research has examined men's opinions or preferences regarding receiving health education materials related to sexual violence. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether male veteran patients who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) prefer gender-targeted versus gender-neutral printed health information and whether receipt of this information increased utilization of outpatient mental health services in the following 6-month period. In-person 45-minute interviews were conducted with 20 male veterans receiving health care services at a large Veterans Health Administration facility to evaluate opinions on a gender-targeted and a gender-neutral brochure about MST. An additional 153 veterans received psychoeducational materials through the mail and participated in the completion of a survey as part of a psychoeducational intervention. Our results demonstrate that male veterans prefer gender-targeted information about sexual trauma compared to gender-neutral information. Whereas veterans in the study had clear preferences for gender-targeted materials, receipt of information about MST (whether gender-targeted or gender-neutral) did not increase utilization of mental health care in the 6 months following receipt of these materials. These results demonstrated that materials about sexual trauma are acceptable to men and should be gender-targeted. Further research is needed to examine strategies to increase access to mental health care among male Veterans who have experienced MST.

Differing Perceptions of Public Librarians and Users in Assessing and Developing Korean Consumer Health Information

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare perceptions between public librarians and public library users and determine their preferences for quality Korean Consumer Health Information (CHI) websites, providing useful data for future CHI resource development and librarian CHI reference services. In this study, a group of librarians and users assessed health information resource sites that are searched by a relatively high number of users, based on the assessment criteria developed in preceding studies. First, there were significant differences between librarian and user groups in assessing health information resource sites, with the user group assessment being more rigorous. Second, the group that participated in criteria development gave higher points than the nonparticipant group in their site assessment. Third, this study analyzed the influence of librarians’ experience in providing, and users’ experience in searching for, health information. Although the differences were not significant, the more experienced groups gave higher points to both sites and criteria assessment than the ones with no experience. Through this study, a total of fifteen health information websites were assessed, and the results can be referred to by both librarians and users in public libraries and applied to other studies on resource assessment in the future. This study is the first study to deal with the assessment of CHI resources available to public librarians and users, as opposed to past studies, which have focused on general Internet users’ assessment of CHI resources. This study is also the first Korean study that has assessed CHI resources available in public libraries.

Attitudes toward technology-based health information among adult emergency department patients with drug or alcohol misuse

Technology-based screening and interventions are emerging solutions to the challenge of addressing substance use in the emergency department (ED). A standardized questionnaire of adult patients at a large-volume, urban, academic ED assessed interest in, and potential barriers to, technology-based substance use information. Questionnaire topics included substance use, access to technology, preferences for health information, and perceived barriers to technology interventions. Among the 430 participants, mean age was 39 years and 55% were female; 37% reported alcohol misuse and 52% drug misuse. Access to technology was high. Technology was preferred by 46% of alcohol misusers (vs. 43% non-misusers, p=0.65) but only 41.9% of drug misusers (vs. 56% non-drug misusers, p=0.005). In multivariate analyses, drug misuse was associated with decreased interest in receiving technology-based information. Cited barriers included confidentiality, complexity, and time. Our findings suggest that drug misusers in particular may wish to have reassurances about the confidentiality of technology-based interactions.

Do Patient Preferences for Health Information Vary by Health Literacy or Numeracy? A Qualitative Assessment

Seeking health information can be a complicated process for a patient. Patients must know the topic of interest, where to look or ask, how to assess and comprehend, and how to evaluate the credibility and trustworthiness of the sources. In this study, the authors describe preferences of patients with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease with varying health literacy and numeracy abilities for receiving health information. Participants were recruited from 2 health care systems. Health literacy and numeracy were assessed and participants completed an orally administered survey consisting of open-ended questions about obtaining health information and preferences for health information. In-depth interviews were conducted with a subset of participants. A diverse sample of 150 individuals (11.3% Latino, 37.3% African American, 44.7% with income less than $15,000/year) participated. Most participants had adequate functional health literacy, while 65% had low numeracy skills. Regardless of health literacy or numeracy ability, participants overwhelmingly preferred to receive health information during a face-to-face conversation with their health care provider. While individuals with adequate functional health literacy identified a variety of health information sources, actions are needed to ensure multiple modalities are available and are in plain, clear language that reinforces patients' understanding and application of information to health behavior.

Exploring older and younger adults' preferences for health information and participation in decision making using the Health Information Wants Questionnaire (HIWQ)

Existing measurements of patient preferences cover only a limited range of health information and participation in decision making. A broader approach is necessary to understand the breadth and variations in patient preferences. To explore the breadth and variances in patient preferences for health information and participation in decision making and to understand the relationship between age and each type of preference. The Health Information Wants Questionnaire (HIWQ) was administered during May-December 2010 to gather data about the information and corresponding decision-making autonomy participants would want in seven areas: diagnosis, treatment, laboratory tests, self-care, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), psychosocial factors and health-care providers. A large state university, public libraries and senior centres in Maryland, USA. A convenience sample of 438 individuals, including 226 undergraduates (mean age = 20; SD = 2.15) and 212 community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 72; SD = 9.00). Ratings on the information and decision-making items of the HIWQ. Participants expressed higher levels of preference for information than for participation in decision making on six of seven subscales. On the psychosocial subscale, they expressed stronger desire for participation in decision making than for information. Age had no predictive effect on the overall preferences or specific preferences for information and participation in decision making about standard treatments and CAM. The predictive effect of age on the other types of preferences varied significantly. Physicians should take into account the breadth and variations in patient preferences. The predictive effect of age on patient preferences varied depending on the specific area of preferences.

Improving Health Promotion to American Indians in the Midwest United States: Preferred Sources of Health Information and Its Use for the Medical Encounter

American Indians and Alaska Natives suffer significant health disparities for many infectious and chronic diseases as compared to the general population. Providing accurate and culturally tailored health information to underserved groups has been shown to influence health behaviors and health outcomes. Little prior research has explored American Indians health information use and preferences. National representative sample surveys such as the Health Information National Trends Survey provide some data on minority groups but are underpowered to provide useful information on American Indians. The present study analyzes data from a survey of over 900 American Indians from the Midwest United States and explores their sources of health information, their preferences for information presentation, and their use of health information prior to and during medical encounters. We conclude that campaigns targeting Natives should be narrowly focused and be community driven or employing community resources. American Indians use a diversity of media sources to obtain health information, with the Internet being underutilized compared to the general population. Partnership with Indian Health Service providers and pharmacists, as well as traditional healers, in the development and dissemination of new health information for Natives may provide the "expert" tone needed to promote health improvements in American Indians.

Exploring the use of graphics in written health information for people with aphasia

Background: One of the documented design features of aphasia-friendly written information is the inclusion of graphics. People with aphasia have identified a preference for the inclusion of photographic illustrations in printed education materials (PEMs); however this preference contrasts with research suggesting that line drawings may be a more effective graphic type. Few studies have explored how graphics affect reading comprehension for people with aphasia. Aims: The aims of this research were (1) to determine if black and white line drawings and colour photographs affect the reading comprehension of people with and without aphasia, and (2) to explore perceptions of graphic helpfulness and preferences for including line drawings and photographic illustrations in PEMs. Methods & Procedures: A total of 22 people with aphasia and 15 of their significant others completed a purposefully developed cloze reading comprehension task, with multiple-choice response options. Response options contained (1) no illustrations, (2) black and white line drawings, or (3) colour photographs. The reading comprehension task was timed. The impact of no illustrations, line drawings, and photographs on (a) reading comprehension (measured in number of paragraphs correctly completed), and (b) response times (measured in seconds) was examined. Participants also completed a face-to-face graphic preference survey. Outcomes & Results: There were no significant differences on the reading comprehension task for participants with aphasia and those without, between (a) the number of paragraphs correctly completed in the set with no graphics, line drawings, and photographs, (b) the time taken to complete paragraphs in each of the three sets, and (c) the mean time taken to correctly complete paragraphs in each of the three sets. In contrast, the majority of participants perceived that pictures help understanding and make reading quicker. Significantly more participants with aphasia, compared to participants without, reported that they needed pictures to understand writing, and all participants with aphasia preferred health information to contain graphics. Several participants did not have a preference for line drawings or photographs in PEMs. Of those who did have a preference, more participants preferred written health information to contain photographs. Conclusions: Both participants with and without aphasia perceived that graphics in PEMs were helpful, however significantly more participants with aphasia reported that graphics were needed to understand text. The finding that line drawings and colour photographs did not significantly assist comprehension should not discount other benefits graphics may have in PEMs for people with aphasia.

Effect of Motherhood on Women’s Preferences for Sources of Health Information: A Prospective Cohort Study

To examine what sources of health information are preferred by first-time mothers-to-be and how these preferences change by the time their child reaches school age. Women expecting their first child (n = 649), recruited in a randomized trial of early childhood caries prevention at all five public maternity hospitals in Adelaide, were questioned about their preferences for health information. Their preferences were assessed again 4 and 7 years later. Answers at 7 years were compared with those of a population-based cohort of mothers with a first child of the same age. Parents were listed most frequently as a preferred source of health information during pregnancy (67.8%) followed by health care practitioners (48.8%). By the time the child reached school age, 78% listed health care practitioners as their preferred source compared with 15.5% listing parents, 21.7% friends and relatives, and 13% the Internet. Data from the population-based comparison group of mothers with a first child of similar age mimicked those of mothers enrolled in the trial. Mothers put a lot more trust in information received from health care professionals than they did before their child was born. This can create opportunities for enhancing the effectiveness of community health initiatives.

Communication technologies for focus groups with remote communities: a case study of research with First Nations in Canada

Communication technologies offer qualitative researchers more options for conducting research with remote communities. It is not always possible for researchers to travel to conduct focus groups and interviews in person, especially when travel is prohibitively time-consuming and expensive. This reason is often given to explain the lack of qualitative research with participants living in remote First Nations (Aboriginal) communities in Canada. This manuscript presents a case study of a research method developed in collaboration with our research partner K-Net and KORI (Keewaytinook Okimakanak) in northwestern Ontario. The specific study investigated preferences for online health information for First Nations people living in remote communities. Working with K-Net, we developed a method to use multi-site videoconferencing for focus groups — live visual and audio exchange between the researcher in Ottawa and participants in multiple remote First Nations communities. Our conclusion encourages other researchers to try this innovative method to include more remote First Nations community members in participatory research projects.