Using the Internet for Health-Related Activities: Findings From a National Probability Sample

摘要: Background: eHealth tools on the Internet have potential to help people manage their health and care. However, little is known about distribution use of different kinds across population or within subgroups. Objective: The purpose this study was examine prevalence predictors participation in specific online health-related activities. Methods: A secondary data analysis National Cancer Institute’s Health Information Trends Survey (HINTS) 2005 conducted three behaviors among users (n = 3244): searching for information oneself, participating a support group those with similar medical conditions, purchasing medicine vitamins. Results: total 58% reported themselves, 3.8% used groups, 12.8% bought vitamins past year. Multivariate found that seeking were more likely be women (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.60, 3.09), cable satellite connections 1.73, 1.22, 2.45) DSL 1.94, 1.36, 2.76), access from work 2.43, 1.27, 4.67) home 1.31, 2.30), report hours weekday 4.12, 2.41, 7.07). Those high school education less 0.44, 0.31, 0.63) some college 0.66, 0.49, 0.89) search information. Online groups by “fair” 3.28, 1.21, 8.92) “poor” 5.98, 1.49, 24.07) lower incomes 2.64, 1.09, 6.41) both at 0.56, 0.35, 0.90). who age 35-49 2.16, 1.43, 3.26), 50-64 2.44, 1.53, 3.89), 65-74 2.18, 1.30, 3.67) married 1.93, 1.13, 3.30) purchase online. Conclusions: most widely as resource, groups. Results suggest modifying survey questions better capture forms medications purchased could provide greater understanding nature these activities. [J Med Res 2009;11(1):e4]