Associations and gender differences between OHI-seeking behaviors and eHealth literacy among Chinese university students

Abstract

Objective: to explore associations and gender differences between OHI-seeking (online health information seeking) behaviors and eHealth (electronic health) literacy among Chinese university students. Methods: Online questionnaires of eHealth literacy scale and OHI-seeking behaviors created in software Wenjunxing were used in this survey. Chi-squared tests, t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed using SPSS for data analysis. Results: Among 5,383 participants, 72.4% were girls, 77.5% lived in rural areas, 51.2% majored in liberal arts, 76.6% with low education parents. The average C-eHEALS scores of boys and girls were 26.53 ± 5.861 and 26.84 ± 5.816, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.084). The top three OHI-seeking behaviors for boys and girls, as well as for the C-eHEALS low and high groups, were “finding information about physical exercises” “reading or sharing health information via social media” “finding information about nutrition and diet”, all of which had significant gender and eHealth literacy differences. Conclusions: Gender and eHealth literacy differences should be focused for intervention when developing and implementing eHealth intervention training for parents and adolescents in schools and communities.

Insights into determinants of health-seeking behavior: a cross-sectional investigation in the Iraqi context

“…The significant gender discrepancies in healthcare consumption, as revealed by a large survey in the UK and repeated in mental health research across North America, provide a nuanced view of how societal, cultural, and individual factors interact to determine HSB. The fact that women contact their primary healthcare providers more frequently than males shows that there may be discrepancies in health awareness, societal expectations, and goals for well-being (19)(20)(21). These findings are consistent with broader conversations about gender roles, in which women may be taught to prioritize health maintenance, while cultural norms around masculinity may contribute to men's reluctance to seek medical care or openly address health concerns.…”

“…This approach allows for a better understanding of whether differences are explained by biological factors or indirect and consequently helps identify modifiable risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. The study also highlights the need for policy-makers to plan the measurement of sex at birth, gender identity, and gender-related variables in survey and patient registry developers to allow for more relevant, equitable, diversified, and inclusive future research (17)(18)(19)(20)(21).…”