BackgroundOnline health information-seeking behavior (OHISB) is currently a widespread and common behavior that has been described as an important prerequisite of empowerment and health literacy. Although demographic factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), age, and gender have been identified as important determinants of OHISB, research is limited regarding the gender-specific motivational determinants of OHISB and differences between women and men in the use of online resources for health information purposes.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify gender-specific determinants and patterns of OHISB by analyzing data from a representative German sample of adults (N=1728) with special attention to access and frequency of use as well as topics and sources of OHISB.MethodsWe employed a 2-step analysis, that is, after exploring differences between users and nonusers of online health information using logistic regression models, we highlighted gender-specific determinants of the frequency of OHISB by applying zero-truncated negative binomial models.ResultsAge (odds ratio, OR for females=0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.99) and degree of satisfaction with one’s general practitioner (GP) (OR for males=0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.92) were gender-specific determinants of access to OHISB. Regarding the frequency of OHISB, daily Internet use (incidence rate ratio, IRR=1.67, 95% CI 1.19-2.33) and a strong interest in health topics (IRR=1.45, 95% CI 1.19-1.77) were revealed to be more important predictors than SES (IRR for high SES=1.25, 95% CI 0.91-1.73).ConclusionsUsers indicate that the Internet seems to be capable of providing a valuable source of informational support and patient empowerment. Increasing the potential value of the Internet as a source for health literacy and patient empowerment requires need-oriented and gender-specific health communication efforts, media, and information strategies.
Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die dynamischen Entwicklungen im Gesundheitssystem gehen mit einer aktiveren und stärker partizipativen Patientenrolle einher, in der Patient*innen als informierte Entscheider*innen ihre Versorgung mitgestalten. In diesem Zuge gewinnt das gesundheitsbezogene Informationshandeln an Bedeutung, jedoch wird es bislang nicht systematisch erfasst. Der Health Information National Trends Survey Germany (HINTS Germany) schließt diese Lücke. Methodik HINTS Germany wurde als telefonische Befragung einer Stichprobe von N = 2902 Personen durchgeführt. Der Fragebogen beinhaltet diverse Aspekte der Suche nach und Nutzung von Gesundheitsinformationen, der Versorgung, des Gesundheitszustands und -verhaltens. Ergebnisse Die ersten Erkenntnisse belegen, dass es regionale und geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede im Gesundheitsinformationshandeln gibt. Etwa jede vierte befragte Person berichtet von Problemen bei der Informationssuche. Die meistgenutzten Informationsquellen sind Ärzt*innen und anderes medizinisches Fachpersonal sowie das Internet, wobei Ärzt*innen das mit Abstand größte Vertrauen entgegengebracht wird. Diskussion Der eher seltene Zugriff auf das Internet als primäre Quelle korrespondiert mit dem geringeren Vertrauen, das die Befragten in das Internet als Quelle für Gesundheitsinformationen legen, was auch aus anderen Studien bekannt ist. Dies sollte jedoch nicht darüber hinwegtäuschen, dass das Internet als ergänzende Quelle einen hohen Stellenwert haben kann, also in Kombination mit anderen Informationen genutzt wird, beispielsweise nach einem Arztbesuch. HINTS Germany bietet eine für die erwachsene Bevölkerung in Deutschland repräsentative Datengrundlage, mit der die Bedeutung der Gesundheitsinformationssuche für gesundheitsbezogene Einstellungen und Verhaltensweisen differenziert analysiert werden kann.
Social norms have been found to be an important factor in individuals' health and risk behaviors. Past research has typically addressed which social norms individuals perceive in their social environments (e.g., in their peer group). The present article explores normative social influences beyond such perceptions by applying a multilevel approach and differentiating between perceived norms at the individual level and collective norms at the group level. Data on norms and three road traffic risk behaviors (speeding, driving after drinking, and texting while driving) were obtained from a representative survey among young German car drivers (N = 311 anchor respondents) and their peer groups (overall N = 1,244). Multilevel modeling (MLM) revealed that beyond individual normative perceptions of peers' behavior and approval, actual collective norms (peers' actual risk behavior and attitudes) affect individuals' risk behaviors. Findings are discussed with regard to theorizing normative influences on risk behavior and practical implications.
BackgroundYoung people spend half of their days in school, but evidence concerning the influence of school environment on the physical activity (PA) of pupils is still inconsistent. A better understanding of potential correlates of PA on the school-level and their possible interaction with individual aspects is needed to improve the development of more effective interventions.MethodsWe used data from the 2009/10 German Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (HBSC)-sample (n=5,005 students aged 11–15 years) including self-reported moderate to vigorous intensity PA as well as a variety of biological, demographic and behavioral correlates and matched them with school-level data from the national school principals’ HBSC questionnaire. We analyzed the associations of individual- and school-level correlates with MVPA by gender-specific multi-level regression.ResultsOnly a small share of the overall variation in student’s PA was attributable to the school-level. Consequently, the associations of individual-level correlates with PA were stronger than those of the school-level. Our analysis revealed significant associations of individual-level (i.e. age, consumption of softdrinks, overweight) as well as school-level correlates (i.e. the availability of a football ground and a swimming pool) with MVPA. We also observed some gender-specific findings especially for the school level correlates. Cross-level interactions between individual- and school-level were not apparent.ConclusionsOur findings indicate the usefulness of applying an ecological framework to understand and explain complex health behaviors like PA. As we found gender-specific association it might be important to acknowledge that boys and girls have specific needs to be more physically active. Further research should also take other features/elements of the school environment and neighborhood as well as socio-cognitive correlates into account to advance the field.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.