Online Health Information Seeking Among Jewish and Arab Adolescents in Israel: Results From a National School Survey

Abstract

This study examined patterns and determinants of seeking online health information among a nationally representative sample of 7,028 Jewish and Arab 7th- through 12th-grade students in 158 schools in Israel. Nearly all respondents (98.7%) reported Internet access, and 52.1% reported having sought online health information in the past year. Arab students (63%) were more likely than Jewish students (48%) to seek online health information. Population-group and sex differences in health topics sought online were identified, although fitness/exercise was most common across groups. Multivariate regression models revealed that having sought health information from other sources was the strongest independent correlate of online health information-seeking among Jews (adjusted odds ratio = 8.93, 95% CI [7.70, 10.36]) and Arabs (adjusted odds ratio = 9.77, 95% CI [7.27, 13.13]). Other factors associated with seeking online health information common to both groups were level of trust in online health information, Internet skill level, having discussed health/medical issues with a health care provider in the past year, and school performance. The most common reasons for not seeking online health information were a preference to receive information from a health professional and lack of interest in health/medical issues. The closing of the digital divide between Jews and Arabs represents a move toward equality. Identifying and addressing factors underpinning online health information-seeking behaviors is essential to improve the health status of Israeli youth and reduce health disparities.

Cultural values and Facebook use among Palestinian youth in Israel

“…Studies have reported that Arab teenagers in Israel have extensive access to the Internet and Facebook (Abbas, 2010;Neumark et al, 2013). In a study that investigated differences in the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in Israel, Mesch (2011) found that Arabs were more likely to use CMC to expand their business and occupational contacts, whereas members of the majority Jewish group were more likely to use CMC to maintain existing family and friendships ties.…”

“…Trust is another important aspect that is also shaped by cultural values and influences the motivations for Facebook use (LorenzoRomero & Constantinides, 2011;Neumark, Lopez-Quintero, Feldman, Hirsch Allen, & Shtarkshall, 2013;Sledgianowski & Kulviwat, 2009;Vance, Elie-Dit-Cosaque, & Straub, 2008). Trust plays a central role in high context cultures such as the Arab one (Al-Haj, 1995;Hall, 1976;Hofstede, 1980aHofstede, , 1980bTriandis, 1989Triandis, , 1995Zakaria et al, 2003).…”

Quality of online health information about oral contraceptives from Hebrew-language websites

“…While many information-seeking adolescents access OHI by going directly to specific health websites and portals, a much greater proportion (70%) seek information using search engines, primarily Google.co.il, Finder, and Kafe [41]. About one third (35%) of the adolescent Internet users reported being aware of the problematic nature and biases of OHI, but few view online information critically.…”

Cultural Patterns of Information Source Use: A Global Study of 47 Countries

“…For example, demographic, psychological, socio‐cultural, and source‐, system‐ and content‐related aspects have been found to explain individuals' information seeking and use in a number of quantitative investigations (e.g., Al‐Samarraie, Eldenfria, & Dawoud, ; Khosrowjerdi & Sundqvist, ; Niu & Hemminger, ; Rowley, Johnson, & Sbaffi, ; Zimmer & Henry, ). Several studies bring forth culture as an antecedent of information related activities (Catellier & Yang, ; Jemielniak & Wilamowski, ; Neumark, Lopez‐Quintero, Feldman, Hirsch Allen, & Shtarkshall, ; Oh & Kim, ; Yoon & Kim, ). An overarching definition depicts culture as “the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution … a racial, religious, or social group” (Merriam‐Webster Dictionary, ).…”