Online Health Information Seeking Research Articles

ChatGPT and frequently asked patient questions for upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery

ABSTRACT Purpose Online health information seekers may access information produced by artificial intelligence language models such as ChatGPT (OpenAI). The medical field may pose a significant challenge for incorporating these applications given the training and experience needed to master clinical reasoning. The objective was to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT responses compared to human oculofacial plastic surgeon (OPS) responses to FAQs about an upper eyelid blepharoplasty procedure. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Three OPS trained by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and three ChatGPT instances each answered 6 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about an upper eyelid blepharoplasty procedure. Two blinded ASOPRS-trained OPS evaluated each response for their accuracy, comprehensiveness, and personal answer similarity based on a Likert scale (1=strongly disagree; 5=strongly agree). Results ChatGPT achieved a mean Likert scale score of 3.8 (SD 0.9) in accuracy, 3.6 (SD 1.1) in comprehensiveness, and 3.2 (SD 1.1) in personal answer similarity. In comparison, OPS achieved a mean score of 3.6 (SD 1.2) in accuracy (p = .72), 3.0 (SD 1.1) in comprehensiveness (p = .03), and 2.9 (SD 1.1) in personal answer similarity (p = .66). Conclusions ChatGPT was non-inferior to OPS in answering upper eyelid blepharoplasty FAQs. Compared to OPS, ChatGPT achieved better comprehensiveness ratings and non-inferior accuracy and personal answer similarity ratings. This study poses the potential for ChatGPT to serve as an adjunct to OPS for patient education but not a replacement. However, safeguards to protect patients from possible harm must be implemented.

Unpacking cyberchondria: The roles of online health information seeking, health information overload, and health misperceptions

Unpacking cyberchondria: The roles of online health information seeking, health information overload, and health misperceptions

Traditional and Online Health Information Seeking Among Individuals With Limited English Proficiency in the United States: Cross-Sectional Study.

We investigate how individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) seek, access, and evaluate traditional and online sources they rely on for health information. Retrospective cross-sectional survey analysis from the United States. Pooled Health Information National Trends Survey surveys (2013-2019). The sample was comprised 15,316 respondents; 236/15,316 (1.54%) completed the survey in Spanish and 1727/14,734 (11.72%) had LEP (did not speak English "very well"). The sample was nationally representative across demographic categories. Independent and dependent variables were self-reported using validated measures. Multivariable logistic regression models using jackknife replicate weights for population estimates. Adults with LEP were less confident in their capacity to access health information (aOR = 0.59, CI: 0.47-0.75) and had less trust in health information from medical professionals (aOR = 0.57,CI: 0.46-0.72) than English proficient (EP) adults. Although LEP and EP adults were both most likely to use the internet as their first source of information, LEP adults were more likely than EP adults to consult health professionals, print sources like books, news or brochures, family and friends, television and radio. Spanish language survey respondents were more likely to trust health information from government agencies (aOR = 1.99, CI: 1.09-3.62) and watch health-related videos on the internet than respondents who took the survey in English (aOR = 2.51, CI: 1.23-5.12). Our results show how language barriers may contribute to health disparities experienced by linguistic minorities. Government agencies and health care organizations need to promote health information dissemination in underserved communities and may need to embrace the use of alternative information sources such as television, radio, and the internet to reach LEP populations.

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.

From Online to Offline: How Different Sources of Online Health Information Seeking Affect Patient-Centered Communication in Chinese Older Adults? The Roles of Patient Activation and Patient–Provider Discussion of Online Health Information

ABSTRACT Despite the increasing prevalence of online health information seeking (OHIS) among older adults, its impact on patient-centered communication (PCC) outcomes remains unclear. Drawing from Street’s ecological framework of communication in medical encounters, the present study examined the mediation role of patient activation in the relationship between OHIS across three media channels – social media, search engines, and mobile health applications (mHealth apps) – and PCC. Furthermore, it examines the moderation effect of patient-provider discussions of online health information. A national survey of 916 older Chinese adults aged 60–78 was conducted. The findings indicate that OHIS across the three channels can indirectly enhance PCC through patient activation. Moreover, OHIS via mHealth apps is positively associated with PCC, while the relationship between OHIS via social media/search engines and PCC is not significant. The interaction between patients and healthcare providers regarding online health information positively moderated all indirect paths. Notably, a great proportion of older adults (77.7%) engaged in discussions about online health information with healthcare providers. These findings emphasize the importance of considering various media channels and highlight the pivotal role of patient activation in bridging the gap between OHIS and satisfactory healthcare interactions, especially in the Chinese context.

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.

Evaluating the Readability, Credibility, and Quality of Spanish-Language Online Educational Resources for Knee Arthroplasty: Implications for Patient Education and Health Disparities.

Spanish-speaking individuals may experience language-based disparities related to elective orthopaedic procedures. Because patients often seek online health information, we assessed the readability, credibility, and quality of Spanish-language educational websites for knee arthroplasty. We queried "Google," "Yahoo," and "Bing" using the term "reemplazo de rodilla" (knee replacement in Spanish) and extracted the top 50 websites per search engine. Websites were categorized by information source (physician/community hospital, university/academic, other) and presence of HONcode certification. Information was assessed for readability (Fernández-Huerta formula), credibility (Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria), and quality (Brief DISCERN tool); scores were compared between the categories. A total of 77 unique websites were included (40.3% physician/community hospital, 35.1% university/academic). The median readability score was 59.4 (10th to 12th-grade reading level); no websites achieved the recommended level of ≤6th grade. The median Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark score was 2 (interquartile range 1 to 3), with only 7.8% of websites meeting all criteria. The median Brief DISCERN score was 16 (interquartile range 12 to 20), with 50.7% meeting the threshold for good quality. University/academic websites had better readability (P = 0.02) and credibility (P = 0.002) but similar quality (P > 0.05) compared with physician/community hospital websites. In addition, HONcode-certified websites had better quality scores (P = 0.045) but similar readability and credibility (P > 0.05) compared with noncertified websites. We identified limitations in readability, credibility, and quality of Spanish-language online educational resources for knee arthroplasty. Healthcare providers should be aware of these patient education barriers when counseling patients, and efforts should be made to support the online information needs of Spanish-speaking orthopaedic patients and mitigate language-based disparities.

Exploring online health resources and self-care among irritable bowel syndrome patients: analyzing internet use and AI chatbot interactions.

The increasing prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Saudi Arabia has led to a growing interest in understanding how patients seek health information online. While it is known that digital platforms, such as search engines, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, are commonly used for health information seeking, there is limited knowledge about the specific behaviors of IBS patients in this context and how these behaviors correlate with their self-care activities. This study aimed to explore online health information-seeking behavior and its correlation with self-care activities among patients with IBS in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the use of these digital platforms. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January to July 2023. The survey, available in both English and Arabic, targeted IBS patients aged 16 years or older. The questionnaire covered demographics, general internet usage, online health information-seeking behavior, and IBS knowledge and awareness. In this study, 451 IBS patients completed the survey. Notably, 95.1% of participants were internet users, primarily accessing health information through mobile phones and search engines. The results highlighted a significant correlation between online health information-seeking behaviors and self-care practices (P=0.009) like exercise and dietary adjustments, despite a moderate basic knowledge [standard deviation (SD) 2.26%] of IBS. Symptomatically, 93.3% experienced abdominal pain weekly, yet 63% did not fully meet the Rome criteria for IBS. Common management strategies included hydration, diet modifications, and exercise. About 28.4% visited the emergency room (ER) for severe symptoms, and 20% regularly consulted doctors every 3-6 months. Surprisingly, 80% were unaware of the FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet, often suggested for IBS. The research indicates a rise in digital health literacy among IBS patients in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the need for accurate and culturally appropriate online resources. It suggests that healthcare professionals and policymakers should direct patients to reliable information and address the digital divide to enhance self-care and IBS management outcomes.

Using online health information for unknown symptoms common among young adults: a qualitative analysis of health-related web pages illustrating the need for numeracy skills, the ability to deal with uncertainty, and the risk of ruling out self-care

Young adults experiencing unfamiliar symptoms commonly seek health information online. This study’s aim was to explore how health information websites express and communicate health information about symptoms common among young adults and guide readers in regard to health, illness, and care. Symptoms commonly searched for by young adults were used as search terms. The resulting data comprised material from 24 web pages and was analyzed using content analysis. The foremost purpose of online health information is to try to narrow down the user’s symptoms and then advise the user on what actions to take. This is done by first forming a foundation of knowledge through descriptions and explanations, then specifying the symptom’s time, duration, and location, and finally giving advice on whether to self-manage symptoms or seek additional information about them. However, the uncertainty of the diagnosis may rule out self-care. For readers inexperienced with health care, forming a decisive conclusion about diffuse symptoms on the sole basis of online health information could be challenging. The necessity of numeracy skills and the ability to deal with uncertainty are highlighted. There is a discrepancy between health advice given online and readers’ accessibility to health care that needs to be addressed in future policy and research.

Purchasing medicines and functional foods on the internet: a cross-sectional study investigating the knowledge, attitudes, and experience of Vietnamese people in 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate Vietnamese people’s knowledge, attitudes, and experience in purchasing medicines and functional foods online.MethodsVia an online survey, the data of 1,070 participants were collected, including their general characteristics, Internet use, previous experience, knowledge, and attitudes towards purchasing medicines/functional foods online. Factors associated with their knowledge and attitudes were identified via multivariate linear regression models.ResultsDuring 2022–2023, about 97.2% of participants used the Internet to seek health information (self-diagnosis: 65.0%, self-medication: 72.6%). Roughly 52.8% bought medicines and/or functional foods online. Among 565 buyers, 41.8% felt satisfied. Only 19.9% understood that selling medicines online was illegal in Vietnam. The main benefits of purchasing medicines/functional foods online that many people agreed on included convenience (87.1%), freedom from location (84.8%), and being able to order/buy products after opening hours (84.7%). Many people felt worried about the ability to buy counterfeit or substandard products (87.7%), inaccurate product information (85.0%), the lack of supervision of the authorities (83.7%), and increasing risks of drug abuse, self-medication, and treatment non-adherence (82.5%). Roughly 84.3% found distinguishing between legal and illegal online pharmacies difficult. Participants’ average knowledge and attitude scores were 6.514 ± 2.461 (range: 0–16) and 89.330 ± 13.720 (range: 23–115), respectively. The main factors associated with people’s knowledge and attitudes towards purchasing these products online included their frequency of Internet use, seeking health information online for self-medication, feeling satisfied with previous experience, and having at least one chronic disease.ConclusionsMany Vietnamese people’s knowledge about purchasing medicines/functional foods online was limited. With the increasing need for online shopping, enhancing their knowledge is paramount. In the forthcoming years, when the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities publish legal documents and enact laws involving online pharmacies and trading medicines on the Internet, ways to recognize licensed online pharmacies must be widely propagated and disseminated in the community.

COVID-19 pandemic and women transitioning from incarceration: a study of online health information seeking among underserved and marginalized women

ABSTRACT Based on interviews with 118 women recently released from incarceration in the U.S. Midwest, this study examines changes in their online health information consumptions and evaluations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). Findings show that women transitioning from incarceration, who are often marginalized at the intersection of gender, socioeconomic status, and race, faced challenges navigating and assessing online health information during the pandemic. We use a feminist framework in analyzing online health information seeking and assessments among women recently released from incarceration while acknowledging intersectional marginality experienced by this population. Given the limited existing research on reentry programs focusing specifically on justice-involved women, our study contributes to developing and improving health and information literacy programs for this underserved and marginalized population.

A - 7 An Examination of the Predictive Roles of Healthy Literacy and Age in Online and Print Health Information Search Performance among Older Adults

Abstract Objective As older adults increasingly seek health information online, evaluating complex technology-based everyday behaviors is important. This study examined the predictive roles of health literacy and age in health information search accuracy across online and print sources. Methods Participants were 96 community-dwelling older adults (age: M = 70.09, SD = 8.69; education: M = 16.57, SD = 2.14; 75% female; 96.88% White). Participants completed the Newest Vital Sign, a health literacy measure that required participants to interpret verbal and numerical information on a nutrition label, and a health search task (HST), which examined the ability to navigate web and print sources to search for health information. Results A multiple regression was conducted in which HST accuracy was regressed onto health literacy and age for web and print subtasks separately. Cognitive status (MoCA total score) was a covariate. Although health literacy was not a significant predictor of HST accuracy, age was a significant predictor for the web-based subtask, β = −0.29, b = −0.05, SEb = 0.02, 95% CI [−0.08, −0.02], t(92) = −2.94, p = 0.004, and cognitive status for the print-based subtask, β = 0.36, b = 0.18, SEb = 0.05, 95% CI [0.08, −0.28], t(92) = 3.50, p = 0.001. Conclusions Compared to health literacy, age and cognitive status were stronger predictors of health information search performance across online and print sources in community-dwelling older adults. Future studies should consider the impact of age and comfort with technology in examining older adults’ ability to successfully navigate online health sources.

Information Support or Emotional Support? Social Support in Online Health Information Seeking among Chinese Older Adults.

Online Health Information Seeking (OHIS) serves as an alternative form of social capital that can help older adults alleviate offline medical-related stress. This study collected and analyzed user interaction data from Patient-to-Doctor and Patient-to-Peer platforms and compared the roles of social support between them. Significant differences were identified in the dimensions of social support (information, emotional, and companion) on the Patient-to-Peer platforms compared with Patient-to-Doctor platforms (p < 0.05). The overall and core-core network density values for social support on Patient-to-Peer platforms were higher than those on Patient-to-Doctor platforms. Patient-to-Doctor interactions focused on information support, displaying a more centralized and efficient network with structural holes pertaining to treatment effects. By contrast, Patient-to-Peer interactions provided more emotional support, with a dispersed and redundant network containing structural holes related to individual information. Companion support was found to be weaker on both platforms. Additionally, digital literacy, surrogate seeking, and altruistic information significantly explained the variances between the two platforms (p < 0.01), with surrogate seeking playing a crucial role. These findings enhance our understanding of OHIS disparities among older adults and their surrogates, offering valuable insights for developing effective support systems and regulatory frameworks for health information platforms.

The logic behind cyberchondria: Longitudinal relations among risk perception, health anxiety, and online health information seeking

AbstractThe cyberchondria phenomenon presents a significant health concern, yet there remains a relative scarcity of research on the formation mechanisms of cyberchondria and its longitudinal studies. Based on the RISP model and C‐A‐C framework, this study aimed to examine the longitudinal associations between risk perception, health anxiety, and online health information seeking (OHIS) within the context of Chinese social media. We used a three‐wave longitudinal survey with 514 participants at one‐month intervals starting September 2023, employing the Random Intercept Cross‐Lagged Panel Model (RI‐CLPM) for data analysis. At the between‐person level, we solely observed significant negative associations between health anxiety and OHIS. At the within‐person level, (1) positively bidirectional associations were noted among the three main variables; (2) causal relationships were identified between risk perception and OHIS, as well as between health anxiety and OHIS; (3) Health anxiety partially mediated the relationship between risk perception and OHIS, and OHIS fully mediated the relationship between health anxiety at T1 and T3; and (4) multi‐group analyses showed that gender differences in RI‐CLPM were significant, while age differences were insignificant. The results offer theoretical and practical insights for health practitioners, information seekers, and social media platforms.

Utilizing Digital Twin to Create Personas Representing Ovarian Cancer Patients and Their Families.

OvCa patients and caregivers perceived challenges in online health information seeking. The HELPeR recommendation system utilized digital twins to create personas reflecting real-world OvCa patients and caregivers. The aim of this study was to describe the creation of digital twins and demonstrate their use cases in the study. Digital twins of OvCa patients and caregivers were created by triangulating multiple sources, including online cancer forums, direct interviews with patients and caregivers, domain expert input, and clinical notes. 10 personas were created for both OvCa patients and caregivers who had a variety of cancer trajectories and information interests. These digital twins present a potential solution for training artificial intelligence models at the initial phase when there is a scarcity of user information.

Development and Validation of a Measure for Seeking Health Information in the Diabetes Online Community: Mixed Methods Study.

Individuals with chronic diseases often search for health information online. The Diabetes Online Community (DOC) is an active community with members who exchange health information; however, few studies have examined health information brokering in the DOC. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Attitudes Toward Seeking Health Information Online (ATSHIO) scale in a sample of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). People with T1D were recruited through the DOC, specifically Facebook and Twitter. They were provided with a Qualtrics link to complete the survey. This was a mixed methods study that used thematic analysis along with existing theory and formative research to design the quantitative ATSHIO scale. A total of 166 people with T1D participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analyses determined a 2-factor scale (Trusting and Evaluating Online Health Information in the DOC and Engaging With Online Health Information in the DOC) with good convergent validity and discriminant validity. Correlations were found between social support, online health information-seeking, diabetes distress, and disease management. The ATSHIO scale can be used to investigate how people with diabetes are using the internet for obtaining health information, which is especially relevant in the age of telehealth and Health 2.0.

20 An Evaluation of the Quality and Readability of Online Information Regarding TMJ Dysfunction

Abstract Aim The accessibility and availability of the internet has allowed people to increasingly seek health information online, and therefore it plays an essential role in the decision-making process of the patient. The study aimed to assess the quality and readability of online health information on TMJ dysfunction. Method The search was conducted on Google using keywords: jaw pain, jaw locking, jaw discomfort, jaw clicking, jaw popping, temporomandibular joint, TMJ dysfunction, TMD and temporomandibular disorder. Ensuring Quality Information for Patient (EQIP) tool was used to assess quality of information and the application of readability score reflected through Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level(FKGL), Gunning-Fog Index(GFI) and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook(SMOG). Results 134 websites were eligible for assessment. The overall median EQIP score was 23, with an IQR of 7 and maximum score of 30. The most common source of information was healthcare industry (n=60; 45%), followed by news services (n=19; 14%), with a median EQIP score of 20 and 25 respectively. Statistically significant differences in overall EQIP scores were found between different sources of information (p=0.004). Only 31(23%) websites achieved the recommended 6th grade or below readability level, and only 14 (10%) discussed complication rates with none mentioning mortality rates at all. Conclusions Most online information on TMJ dysfunction is of suboptimal quality and readability. This study identified areas for improvements when producing patient material regarding TMJ dysfunction. To improve patient education and awareness, content creators should strive to be informative, accurate, and patient-centric.

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.

Online health information seeking, health anxiety and cyberchondria among men who engage in sexual risk taking: The mediating role of medical consultation about HIV/AIDS

AbstractThe rapid development of electronic communication technology has brought about a revolutionary transformation in health information seeking and medical consultation. Beyond traditional avenues like seeking assistance from doctors in hospitals, individuals now have the option to engage in online medical consultations, enhancing their ability to manage routine health effectively. However, an overreliance on online medical consultations driven by heightened health anxiety may contribute to the surge in online health information inquiries, a phenomenon positively associated with the emergence of cyberchondria. In the context of China, where HIV/AIDS is socially stigmatised, cyberchondria related to HIV infection becomes particularly noteworthy. This study delves into the potential consequences of online health information seeking (OHIS) with a specific focus on Kongai BBS, a platform catering for individuals with a fear of AIDS. Our research collected data from 309 male users actively participating in the BBS, who had engaged in high‐risk sexual behaviours in the past 6 months. Applying structural equation modelling (SEM), this study examines the intricate relationships between OHIS, health anxiety, online and offline medical consultations, and cyberchondria. The results indicate that online medical consultation serves as a mediator in the relationship between OHIS and cyberchondria, whereas offline medical consultation does not significantly impact this relationship. These findings contribute valuable insights into the interactive dynamics between online and offline medical consultations, offering practical implications for the prevention of HIV infection in China. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.