Page 46 - Health Literacy, eHealth, and Communication: Putting the Consumer First: Workshop Summary

Health Literacy, eHealth, and Communication: Putting the Consumer First: Workshop Summary

PAneL

TAbLE 3-1 Health Information Seeking by Current Internet Use
Internet Users Non-Users P Value
“I have difficulty understanding a lot 70 (21.2) 128 (42.0) <0.0001
of the health information I read.”
“When I read or hear something 274 (83.3) 272 (87.7) 0.1101
concerning my health care, I bring it
up with my doctor.”
“It is hard to find good answers to my 90 (27.5) 142 (47.3) <0.0001
health questions and concerns.”
“Very” or “Somewhat” confident 290 (88.2) 247 (80.7) 0.0096
in ability to get health advice OR
confidence in ability to get health
advice or information if needed
Scale: (1) Very confident, (2) Mean (SD) Mean (SD) 0.0014
Somewhat confident, 1.53 (0.77) 1.75 (0.92)
(3) Slightly confident, (4) Not
confident at all.
SOURCE: Kukafka, 2008.

Participants were also asked how much they trust health-related
information obtained from different sources. Figure 3-1 displays their
responses. As can be seen, health care professionals are rated as an
extraordinarily credible source of information. A high percentage
(71 percent) of Internet users also trust health-related information found
on the Internet.
The data also show that 63 percent of those who go to the Internet
search for health information about specific diseases. This seems to be the
major motivator for people to exert the effort needed to access information
on the Internet. Sixty-one percent of people who go to the Internet look
for information on diet, nutrition, and fitness. Other types of information
sought on the Internet by the Harlem respondents included medicines
(44 percent); insurance, doctors, or hospitals (38 percent); mental health
(22 percent); sexual health (26 percent); substance abuse (21 percent); and
smoking cessation (14 percent).
In terms of barriers to Internet use, the study found that the responses
for non-users about why they did not use the Internet were, in order of
frequency: worry about pornography and fraud, followed by not wanting
or needing the Internet; too expensive; no time; and too complicated and
hard to understand. Non-users were also asked to indicate whether they
agreed with a number of statements. The Internet:

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