Internet health information search for patients with hypertension or diabetes and its influencing factors
Objective To investigate the internet health information search behaviors of patients with hy-pertension or diabetes(referred to as"two chronic diseases")and the influencing factors,and to provide reference for improving the utilization and management of internet health information for patients with these chronic diseases.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 2 932 patients with hypertension or diabetes,and logistic regression models were used to analyze the internet health information search behaviors and their main influencing factors.Results WeChat and TikTok were the main channels for patients with hypertension or diabetes to search for health information,and most patients considered internet health information to be important.Although factors such as education level,disease severity,and information quality had varying degrees of influence on the internet health information search behaviors of patients,being employed(OR=1.892,P<0.01),having employee medi-cal insurance(OR=0.640,P<0.01),and risk aversion(OR=0.611,P<0.01)all significantly influenced the information search behaviors.Conclusions Internet health information helps reduce the time and cost of visits for employed patients,but efforts should be made to further improve the quality of internet health information and narrow the gap in the utilization of internet health information among individuals with different education levels and medical insurance coverage.
Patients with"two chronic diseases"Internet health informationInformation searchSelf-managementInformation evaluationInfluence factor