Health Information-seeking Behavior Research Articles

Promoting health information and healthy behaviors: Results from a qualitative study

Abstract Background and aim Healthy living behaviors can prevent many chronic diseases. This study aimed to explore qualitative perceptions and behaviors about healthy lifestyles in a district’s residents. Methods This qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews with 24 participants aged 28 to 63 in Türkiye. Results Of the 24 participants, six were men. The themes were daily routines; health information-seeking behavior, beliefs, motivation for healthy living, dietary habits, daily movement, psychological relaxation, unhealthy behaviors, facilitators, and barriers. Individuals’ daily routines were shaped by caregiving duties or work. Health information was preferred from professionals, TV, family health history, and the Internet. Male participants lacked the need to seek health information. Also, some participants believed that diseases are unavoidable and incurable. People with growing children or a family member with a serious illness like cancer often report practicing healthy behaviors. Participants have different healthy eating patterns, including organic eating, home cooking, regular meals, more fruits and vegetables, increased water intake, avoiding late-night eating, and steering clear of packaged foods, salt, and sugar. Many participants walked regularly for physical and mental health; they also expressed avoiding negative people and engaging in hobbies and social activities to maintain psychological well-being. Smoking participants had attempted to quit smoking. Some participants said that adding salt to their food before tasting. Factors cited as hindering healthy behaviors included lack of time, financial constraints, and cultural reasons. Conclusions Despite awareness of healthy living, many participants struggle to implement it due to lack of motivation, busy work schedules, social and physical environments, and economic factors. Multisectoral collaboration to create environments that support healthy behaviors can improve public health.

Evolution of online health-related information seeking in France from 2010 to 2023

Abstract Background Given the rapid ongoing progression of the internet and increase in health information available online since 2010, it is important to understand how these changes impact online health information-seeking behaviour of the population and the way of managing one’s health. This study aims to describe the evolution of the use of internet to seek health-related information as well as the characteristics of online health information seekers. Methods We used data from the French nationally representative surveys Health Barometers. It is a cross-sectional repeated survey of random representative samples of the French population conducted by the French national public health agency since 1992 using computer-assisted telephone interviewing. It serves to measure the evolution of key indicators regarding health-related behaviors, attitudes, and opinions in the general population and includes individuals aged 18-75 years old selected through randomly generated phone numbers. In the 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2023 editions, the same question was asked about the internet use as a source of health information. Evolutions over time were assessed using chi-square tests. Associations with sociodemographic characteristics and health status were evaluated using logistic regression models. Results Although internet access increased steadily during this period, from 72.8% in 2010 to 95.2% in 2023, the use of the internet as a source of health information rose between 2010 and 2014 (from 37.3% to 67.9%), decreased significantly in 2017 (60.3%) and rose again in 2023 at 65.3 %. The study describes the characteristics of the online health information-seekers trough time. Conclusions The past decade was marked by a breakthrough of the use of internet in the general population and the use of internet to seek health information. The analysis of the digital health information-seekers serves the public health authorities in their mission to provide accessible information on public health. Key messages • This study aims to describe the evolution of Online Health-Related Information Seeking in France from 2010 to 2023 and the characteristics of digital health information-seekers. • The analysis of the digital health information-seekers serves the public health authorities in their mission to provide accessible information on public health.

Rural Alabamians' Unmet Medical Needs: Rethinking the Roles of Online Health Information-Seeking Behaviors.

Unmet medical needs in rural areas are of grave concern in the U.S. With the advent of digital technologies, the Internet has become a critical means for accessing essential health information. However, racial/ethnic minority rural communities experiencing scarcity in healthcare services and access to the Internet are underrepresented in digital health studies. This study examined the association between online health information-seeking behaviors and unmet medical needs in a sample of African/Black American adults living in a rural region of the U.S. Among a sample of 191 adults, we used descriptive analyses to document the level of unmet medical needs and online health information-seeking behaviors of this population and conducted logistic regressions to test the association between online health information-seeking behaviors and unmet medical needs. Most participants were older than 50years old (60.2%), female (68.1%), unemployed (57.6%), and had an annual income of less than $25,000 (60.2%). About 20% of participants experienced unmet medical needs. The mean score of online health information-seeking behaviors was 2.37 (range 0-12). Increasing online health information-seeking behaviors was associated with 5.95 increased odds of experiencing unmet medical needs (OR = 5.95, 95% CI 1.27-27.77). The finding highlights that it is necessary to develop targeted programs aimed at populations with high unmet medical needs, focusing on providing accessible health information and resources. Further research is warranted to investigate the motivations to engage in online health information-seeking behaviors to inform structural and workforce interventions to address unmet medical needs in this under-resourced region.

A cross-sectional study based on the Comprehensive Model of Information seeking: which factors influence health information-seeking behavior in patients with periodontitis

A cross-sectional study based on the Comprehensive Model of Information seeking: which factors influence health information-seeking behavior in patients with periodontitis

Online Health Information Seeking, eHealth Literacy, and Health Behaviors Among Chinese Internet Users: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

The internet has become an increasingly vital platform for health-related information, especially in upper-middle-income countries such as China. While previous research has suggested that online health information seeking (OHIS) can significantly impact individuals' engagement in health behaviors, most research focused on patient-centered health communication. This study aims to examine how OHIS influences health behavior engagement among Chinese internet users, focusing on the role of eHealth literacy and perceived information quality in influencing relationships. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2021 among 10,000 Chinese internet users, using quota sampling based on sex, age, and urban and rural residence, in line with the 48th Statistical Report on Internet Development of China. Nonparametric tests were used to examine the differences in eHealth literacy across sociodemographic groups. Partial correlation analysis and stepwise linear regression were conducted to test the associations between key variables. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted to test the hypotheses. Our study identified significant disparities in functional and critical eHealth literacy between urban and rural residents across age groups, income levels, education backgrounds, and health conditions (all P<.001). In terms of sex and regional differences, we found higher functional literacy among female users than male users, and critical literacy varied significantly across different regions. The proposed structural model showed excellent fit (χ2404=4183.6, χ2404=10.4,P<.001; root mean square error of approximation value of 0.031, 95% CI 0.030-.031; standardized root mean square residual value of 0.029; and comparative fit index value of 0.955), highlighting reciprocal associations between 2 types of eHealth literacy and OHIS. Participants' functional eHealth literacy, critical eHealth literacy, and OHIS have positive impacts on their health behavioral engagement. Perceived information quality was found to mediate the influence of OHIS on health behavior (b=0.003, 95% CI 0.002-0.003; P<.001). The study revealed the pathways linking sociodemographic factors, eHealth literacy, OHIS, and perceived information quality and how they together influenced health outcomes. The findings underscore the significance of enhancing eHealth literacy and improving information quality to promote better health outcomes among Chinese internet users.

The Online Health Information-Seeking Behaviors of People Who Have Experienced Stroke: Qualitative Interview Study.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. As health resources become digitized, it is important to understand how people who have experienced stroke engage with online health information. This understanding will aid in guiding the development and dissemination of online resources to support people after stroke. This study aims to explore the online health information-seeking behaviors of people who have experienced stroke and any related barriers or navigational needs. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants via email between March and November 2022. The sampling was done from an existing cohort of Australian stroke survivors who had previously participated in a randomized controlled trial of an online secondary prevention program. The cohort consisted of people with low levels of disability. Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted via phone or video calls. These calls were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed by 2 independent coders using a combined inductive-deductive approach. In the deductive analysis, responses were mapped to an online health information-seeking behavior framework. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the remaining raw data that did not fit within the deductive theoretical framework. A sample of 15 relatively independent, high-functioning people who had experienced stroke from 4 Australian states, aged between 29 and 80 years, completed the interview. A broad range of online health information-seeking behaviors were identified, with most relating to participants wanting to be more informed about medical conditions and symptoms of their own or of a family member or a friend. Barriers included limited eHealth literacy and too much generalization of online information. Online resources were described to be more appealing and more accessible if they were high-quality, trustworthy, easy to use, and suggested by health care providers or trusted family members and friends. Across the interviews, there was an underlying theme of disconnection that appeared to impact not only the participants' online health information seeking, but their overall experience after stroke. These responses were grouped into 3 interrelated subthemes: disconnection from conventional stroke narratives and resources, disconnection from the continuing significance of stroke, and disconnection from long-term supports. People who have experienced stroke actively engage with the internet to search for health information with varying levels of confidence. The underlying theme of disconnection identified in the interviews highlights the need for a more comprehensive and sustained framework for support after stroke beyond the initial recovery phase. Future research should explore the development of tailored and relatable internet-based resources, improved communication and education about the diversity of stroke experiences and ongoing risks, and increased opportunities for long-term support.

How Do Health Information Scanning and Seeking Influence Excessive Alcohol Drinking Among Chinese Hypertensive Drinkers? A Moderated Mediation Analysis.

China has a longstanding tradition of alcohol consumption, yet excessive drinking poses significant health risks, particularly for individuals with cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension. While existing literature indicates that both health information scanning and seeking behaviors can impact health beliefs and actions, their effects on alcohol prevention remain understudied. Utilizing data from a national survey in China, this study investigates the influence of health information scanning and seeking on alcohol risk knowledge and the frequency of excessive drinking among hypertensive drinkers. Results demonstrate that both health information scanning (b = -.018, p < .05) and seeking (b = -.030, p < .001) are negatively associated with excessive alcohol consumption indirectly through heightened awareness of alcohol as a risk factor for cancer. However, health information scanning is positively linked to excessive drinking directly (b = .203, p < .01). Additionally, cancer information overload positively moderates the relationship between awareness of alcohol as a cancer risk factor and excessive drinking (b = .148, p < .001). Hypertensive drinkers who experience lower levels of cancer information overload are more inclined to reduce excessive alcohol consumption. These findings underscore the different roles of health information scanning and seeking on alcohol control. It is important to implement interventions aimed at encouraging active information seeking and mitigating information overload. Educational programs should be promoted to help high-risk groups accurately understand the risk of excessive drinking.

Overcoming Barriers to Childhood and Adolescent Vaccination: Opportunities in Precision Health Promotion

Abstract Background Vaccination remains one of the greatest success stories in public health as cost-effective interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases at the population level. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges to the immunization sector. Uptake of routine childhood and adolescent vaccinations was forestalled by challenges related to pandemic lockdowns/quarantine, reduced patient-provider interactions, parental reluctance to seek preventative services, poor access to health services, and loss of income and/or health insurance. Compared to pre-pandemic estimations, the pandemic era brought a consequential decline in coverage of all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This study sought to address suboptimal adolescent vaccine delivery systems and bolster uptake in the post-pandemic era with the introduction of precision health promotion strategies centered around the use of Personal Health Libraries (PHL). Methods Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), and semantic web technologies to integrate contextual knowledge (i.e., clinical, biomedical, and SDoH data) with patient preferences, proposed PHL platforms could aid in generating personalized evidence-based recommendations useful to both care provider promotion of vaccination and mitigating patient and caregiver hesitancy. The proposed application stands to provide customized digital health interventions by 1) facilitating remote knowledge acquisition, exchange, and visualization of the benefits of on-time vaccination, 2) improving health information-seeking behaviors to reduce hesitancy, 3) bolstering patient reminder and recall systems for follow-up and series completion, and 4) learning usage patterns to incorporate end-user preferences to empower patients, promote best practices, and enable them to make informed health decisions. Results The proposed PHL would serve as an ecosystem to manage and deliver tailored vaccine-related information to inform health decision-making regarding ACIP-recommended immunizations. Such a resource could administer health education and promotion that addresses common misconceptions regarding vaccination, alleviate safety, efficacy, and side effect concerns, and deliver evidence-based support of vaccines as primary protective measures (i.e., cancer prevention). Conclusion The use of PHL would enable rapid and real-time collection and interpretation of patient data beyond the traditional clinical setting, supplying care providers with tools for optimal vaccination recommendation to bolster uptake in the post-pandemic era. Moreover, the application would enable patients and caregivers to readily access vital health information and play a crucial role in addressing the obstacles encountered when seeking accurate and dependable vaccine-related information.

Digital Health Literacy Predictors and COVID-19 Online Information-Seeking Behaviors Among University Students from Romania

In addition to the infectious disease, the COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by an infodemic that worsened the outbreak. Increased digital health literacy (DHL) skills and information-seeking behaviors are crucial for accessing, understanding, and evaluating online health information, especially during a pandemic, where misinformation imposes immediate health consequences. This study explores the predictors of DHL among Romanian students and their information-seeking behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected through a cross-sectional study design over 3 months (December 2020–February 2021) and a self-reported web-based questionnaire from 1,381 university students from Romania assessing DHL and information-seeking behaviors. We used descriptive statistics, Cronbach Alpha coefficients, and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions to explore DHL’s predictors in the Romanian sample. Results showed that overall, the study sample had high levels of DHL. However, almost half of the respondents reported having problems assessing whether the information searched related to coronavirus is reliable or not, and 95% shared someone else’s private information online. Age, subjective social status, gender, and chronic diseases were identified as predictors for DHL. Students’ DHL skills need to be strengthened using tailored educational programs and interventions emphasizing the quality, accuracy, and timely provision of online information on official public health platforms. Additional actions include fostering collaborations between educational institutions and public health authorities, alongside developing smartphone applications for real-time guidance on health topics. It is of the utmost importance to address the spread of the infodemic through different strategies, to combat misinformation among university students.

Use of internet for health information and health seeking behavior among adults: a cross-sectional study

Background: In recent era web technology has unlock many new opportunities in health care sector. E-Health literacy is “the ability to understand, and appraise health information from electronic sources and apply the knowledge gained to solve a health problem”. This study aimed to understand the characteristics and preferences of online health information seekers so that online health information providers can create appropriate health information content which will contribute to health management and promotion. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out in the general population who use internet to access health information. A sample of 400 were selected though convenient sampling. Semi-structured, self-administered, pre-tested online questionnaire using Google forms was sent to participants. Data was entered in Microsoft excel for appropriate statistical analysis. Results: In the present study, 82% (315/400) were using the internet for health information through digital media and 74% believe this could be helpful for raising health awareness. It was observed that among the participants (n=49.5%) looked for the side effects and dosing of common medications followed by disease symptomatology and its diagnosis (n=45%). This study found out that younger age group and literate population were more likely to access health information via internet which was statistically significant. Conclusions: The current study revealed that younger individuals primarily utilize the internet to explore health information. Nearly half of the participants (49.5%) search for information on medications and their side effects online.

Public Libraries Encouraged to Meet the Health Information Needs of Tribal Women in Bangladesh

A Review of: Yesmin, S., Abdul Karim, M., &amp; Atikuzzaman, M. (2023). Community engagement of public libraries for ensuring tribal women’s health literacy in Bangladesh. IFLA Journal, 49(4), 678–693. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352231198260 Objective – To investigate public libraries’ existing community engagement practices, explore their willingness to provide health information services to tribal communities in Bangladesh, and examine tribal women’s health information-seeking behavior and interest in obtaining health information from public libraries. Design – A cross-sectional study using online interviews and structured questionnaires. Setting – Public libraries and tribal communities in tribal regions of Bangladesh. Subjects – Public librarians (n=11) and tribal women (n=276) from three tribal districts in Bangladesh (Bandarban, Khagrachari, and Mymensingh). Methods – Interviews were conducted with librarians via Zoom in January 2023. Survey questionnaires were distributed to a convenience sample of 300 tribal women from February to March 2023. Data was analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), using univariate and bi-variate measures. Main Results – All of the libraries provided print materials (books, newspapers, and periodicals) for reading and lending and offered photocopying and Internet browsing services. Other forms of resources such as microfiches and digital materials, inter-library loan services, and facilities for people with disabilities were not widely available. Most libraries (72.8%) did not provide any specific program (e.g., health-related outreach program) for tribal community engagement, although they all recognized the urgency and value of such programs. Lack of funding and bureaucratic complexities were identified as the top two barriers. Out of the 276 tribal women responding to the survey, close to two-thirds of the respondents indicated they were either moderately or very interested in receiving health information. The top three health topics the respondents sought information on were vaccinations, symptoms of disease, and nutrition. The primary health information sources for the respondents were doctors at nearby community clinics or government hospitals, and none of the respondents sought health information from public libraries. Most respondents acknowledged the importance of being informed about health issues and found it difficult to locate health information on the Internet. High costs and lack of awareness regarding health issues represented the main challenges the respondents encountered when seeking health information. Among the demographic variables, respondents’ religion and age were negatively correlated with their interest in health information, while their education status was positively correlated with it. Conclusion – Public libraries in tribal areas in Bangladesh lacked health information services but recognized the importance of providing them. Tribal women expressed interest in receiving health information, encouraging public libraries to develop and implement related services and programs. Public libraries may consider adding new job titles such as consumer health librarians and partner with other stakeholders for better community engagement. The government of Bangladesh should substantially invest in public libraries as community hubs and minimize bureaucratic hurdles that prevent public libraries from initiating new services. Professional library organizations in Bangladesh may also draw ideas from the study in establishing professional guidelines for health information services and community outreach programs.

Alternative to health consultations or safe spaces? Pregnant women’s health information-seeking behaviour online during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

Alternative to health consultations or safe spaces? Pregnant women’s health information-seeking behaviour online during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

Older patients want to talk about sexual health in Australian primary care

Background Maintaining sexual health and function is important to many older adults. Although older patients are regular users of primary care, opportunities to address sexual health concerns are missed. Building on interview studies, this research aimed to collect a larger number of older adults’ perspectives to deepen understanding of sexual healthcare needs and formulate recommendations for the Australian primary care context. Methods As part of the SHAPE2 Survey of older adults’ sexual health information-seeking behaviours, participants (aged ≥60 years and living in Australia) were asked what sexual health issues were most important to them, and the barriers they experienced in managing their sexual health. Data were collected in 2021 in the form of free-text comments. The sub-set of comments that related to healthcare experiences were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Out of 1470 survey participants, 864 responded to the relevant questions, and of these 107 wrote about healthcare experiences. Some comments described positive experiences seeking sexual health care; however, the majority outlined barriers to accessing support. Barriers were categorised into seven categories: patient embarrassment, barriers to rapport, uncertainty about finding solutions, ageism, barriers unique to minorities, needing general practitioners to initiate conversations and structural barriers. Conclusions Older patients want general practitioners to initiate sexual health conversations as part of routine care, and, crucially, sexual issues raised by the patient should be legitimised and treated with due attention. Although challenges, such as time, embarrassment and pressing health concerns, may hamper sexual health discussions, it is important that this area of holistic care is given more attention.

Comparison of factors affecting Turkish citizens’ search for online health information before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundHealth information consumers can acquire knowledge regarding health problems, combat health problems, make health-related decisions, and change their behaviour by conducting health information searches. This study aims to identify the sociodemographic and economic factors affecting individuals’ search for health information on the internet before and during COVID-19.MethodsIn this study, micro data sets of the Household Information Technologies (IT) Usage Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2018 and 2021 were used. The binary logistic regression analysis was also used in the study.ResultsIt was determined that age, gender, education level, occupation, social media use, searching for information about goods and services, internet banking use, e-government use, having a desktop computer, having a tablet computer, and region variables were associated with the status of searching for health information on the internet during the COVID-19 period.ConclusionThe main reasons for the increase in health information searches during the COVID-19 epidemic can be attributed to several key factors, such as society’s need for information and meeting its need for information, access to up-to-date health data and increased trust in official sources. The study’s findings serve as a valuable resource for health service providers and information sources attempting to identify the health information-seeking behaviour of the public and to meet their needs in this context.

How reproductive health information-seeking behaviors changed post-Dobbs: A Wikipedia page views analysis (Preprint)

How reproductive health information-seeking behaviors changed post-Dobbs: A Wikipedia page views analysis (Preprint)

Issues Associated with Media and Health Information Seeking Behavior Among the Elderly in Kenya

Understanding issues associated with media and health information-seeking behavior among the elderly, aids in tailoring public communication campaigns, ultimately enhancing a healthier and more resilient community. In Kibra slum, the elderly face limited access to health resources, including accessibility to a variety of health information sources, exacerbating their informational gap. This hinders their ability to make informed decisions, potentially leading to delayed or inadequate healthcare, further compromising their well-being. The primary objective of this study is to investigate issues associated with media and health information-seeking behavior among the elderly in one of Africa’s biggest slums, Kibera. Interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews targeting the elderly living in Kibera slum were conducted. Qualitative findings indicated that social support, health status, and media-related issues were associated with media and health information seeking among elderly slum dwellers. These issues shaped media use for seeking health information. The study recommends that health stakeholders should aim to understand these issues to effectively address the unique health needs of this population.

Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior Scale Development and Validation

Aim The present study was planned with the aim of developing a scale for measuring individuals’ online health information-seeking behavior. Material and Method The study was carried out between 9.12.2022 and 14.01.2023 with individuals aged 18 and over who were residing in Yalova, Türkiye. The study sample included 395 participants. Results Exploratory factor analysis showed that the developed scale comprised one dimension and five items. Confirmatory factor analysis was subsequently utilized to verify the structure of the scale, and the goodness-of-fit results supported the scale’s construct validity. Furthermore, the reliability coefficient of the scale was high. According to these findings, the newly developed Conclusion Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior Scale is both valid and reliable, and it can be administered in evaluating individuals’ online health information-seeking behaviors.

Health information-seeking behavior and perceived information source credibility among middle-aged and older adults

This is the first empirical study to compare the health information-seeking behaviors among the middle-aged groups and older adults. The purpose of this research paper is to explore how middle-aged and older adults use different sources to acquire health information, their perception of information quality, and information processing behaviors. A survey study was conducted among 786 Hong Kong residents aged 40 to 69. The study found that respondents relied heavily on their families and friends to obtain health information. Although professionals were the second least used information source for health information, it was considered the most credible one among the respondents. New media was perceived as the least used as well as the least credible source for health information. Older adults more relied on traditional media and professionals to get health information while middle-aged adults more frequently used new media to obtain health information.

Exploring the relationship between older adults' online health information seeking, negative emotions and prevention behaviors in the pandemic context: a two-wave longitudinal study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults were facing more mental health issues that may cause complex impacts on pandemic prevention, and turning to the internet for health information is a double-edged sword for them. This study aimed to investigate the reciprocal relationship between negative emotions and prevention behaviors in older adults, as well as the direct and moderating effects of online health information seeking (OHIS) on negative emotions and prevention behaviors. Based on the common-sense model of self-regulation (CSM) and a sample of more than 20,000 participants from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), this study first used an autoregressive cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) to analyze the longitudinal effect of negative emotions on prevention behaviors. Second, the study used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to explore the influence of OHIS usage frequency changes on negative emotions and prevention behaviors. Third, the study used multigroup analysis to examine the moderating effect of OHIS usage frequency changes on the CLPM. The findings indicate a significant longitudinal association where initial negative emotions predicted later prevention behaviors (β = 0.038, p < 0.001), and increased OHIS frequency was linked to positive changes in prevention behavior (β = 0.109, p < 0.001). Multigroup analysis revealed that the connection between negative emotions or increased negative emotions and prevention behaviors remained significant for those with no change or an increase in OHIS frequency but not for those with a decrease. This study suggested that negative emotions may drive older adults to engage more in prevention behaviors and that OHIS can augment this effect. These results underscore the importance of addressing mental health and providing reliable online health information to support older adults in managing infectious disease risks.

Exploring Health Information-Seeking Behavior and Information Source Preferences Among a Diverse Sample of Cancer Survivors: Implications for Patient Education.

This study examined health information-seeking behavior among cancer survivors, including informational sources used and the factors correlated with information-seeking across different racial/ethnic groups. We used data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (2017-2022). Adjusted logistic regression was conducted to identify the predictors of information-seeking by race/ethnicity. Predicting variables were organized into demographic (age, education, race, income, and comorbidity), enabling (having health insurance, having a regular provider, and frequency of care visits), predisposing (quality of care, self-efficacy, and confidence in one's ability to get information), and reinforcing (patient-centered communication, ease of getting information, and confusing information available) factors based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model. We included 4723 cancer survivors, of which 15.41% have breast cancer, 17.50% have skin cancer, and 11.11% have prostate cancer. A majority (75.08%) had sought health information. Healthcare providers were the most preferred sources of information across demographic groups, followed by the Internet. Health insurance, a regular provider, and frequent visits were enabling factors that positively influenced information-seeking behavior. Confidence in getting information when needed and self-efficacy were predisposing factors positively associated with the information-seeking behavior. Finally, reinforcing factors (ease of getting information and non-confusion of the information available) were also positively associated with information-seeking. Study findings suggest that one-fourth of cancer survivors had not sought cancer-related information. The results have implications for identifying patients at increased risk for unmet information needs. They also contribute to our understanding of critical racial differences and similarities. Further, findings can help guide interventions to assist in information seeking based on patient preferences.