Digital inequalities in health information seeking behaviors and experiences in the age of web 2.0: A population-based study in Hong Kong

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 30;16(3):e0249400. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249400. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Background: Inequalities in health information seeking behaviors (HISBs) using mass media and internet websites (web 1.0) are well documented. Little is known about web 2.0 such as social networking sites (SNS) and instant messaging (IM) and experiences of HISBs.

Methods: We surveyed representative Hong Kong Chinese adults (N = 10143, 54.9% female; 72.3% aged 25-64 years) on frequency of HISBs using traditional sources, internet websites, SNS (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), and IM (e.g., WhatsApp, WeChat) and experiences measured using Information Seeking Experience Scale. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for HISBs and experiences by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were yielded using multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance estimators. aPRs for experiences by HISBs using internet websites, SNS, and IM adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were also yielded.

Results: Being female, higher educational attainment, not smoking, and being physically active were associated with HISBs using any source (all P<0.05). Older age had decreased aPRs for HISBs using traditional sources (P for trend = 0.03), internet websites (P for trend<0.001), and SNS (P for trend<0.001) but not for IM (aged 45-64 years: aPR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07, 2.03). Lower educational attainment and income were associated with negative experiences including feelings of effort and difficulties in understanding the information (all P for trend<0.05). Older age had increased aPRs for difficulties in understanding the information (P for trend = 0.003). Compared with internet websites, HISBs using IM was associated with feelings of frustration (aPR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.08, 1.79), difficulties in understanding the information (aPR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.12, 1.65), and quality concern (aPR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.32).

Conclusions: We identified correlates of web-based health information seeking and experiences in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Providing greater access to and improved information environment of web 2.0 to the target groups may help address digital inequalities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Health Surveys*
  • Healthcare Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Information Seeking Behavior*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Social Media

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as part of the project: ‘FAMILY: a Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society’ (https://www.family.org.hk/en). The publication fee was supported by Sir Robert Kotewall Endowed Professorship in Public Health Fund to Prof. Tai Hing Lam. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.