Internet health information use of university students from Greater China

Abstract

Introduction: It has been noted that Internet health information (IHI) use has great potential for development in “Greater China” (Brettle & Urquhart, 2012; Cassell & Hiremath, 2013; Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2017). Additionally, shared decision-making is emerging in health communication (Barry & Edgman-Levitan, 2012; Elwyn et al., 2012). However, limited research has been applied to IHI’s impact on health communication during different health communication stages. Objectives: The current research explore and document the general tendency of IHI use conducted by university students from Greater China when they encounter situations listed according to transtheoretical model (Prochaska, Redding, & Evers, 2008) and shared decision-making (Barry & Edgman-Levitan, 2012; Elwyn et al., 2012). Methods: Within the structure of sense making (Dervin, 2015), a questionnaire were developed to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A mixed-method approach (Connaway & Powell, 2010) was employed to analyze the data. Results: Data from 237 respondents was analyzed. Intentional seeking (63.7%) is the most common method to access IHI. IHI access is subject to impacts of health communication stages; academic major; gender; and educational level. Ways to improve health (76.8%) are the most common IHI gap. IHI gaps are affected by major and gender. Qualitative analysis indicates that some IHI gaps may not be addressed in the present study. Information from professional IHI sources (mean = 4.05) is the most persuasive attribute. Persuasiveness of IHI with different attributes is related to IHI users’ educational level; area; and gender. Changing treatment based on IHI before implementing treatment is the least common behavior outcomes of IHI use. Behavioral outcomes of IHI use are associated with health communication stages and academic majors. Conclusion: The proposed health communication stage demonstrates its impact as mentioned above. General tendencies and effects of personal factors regarding IHI use is discovered as above. Further research with greater sample size and more random sampling is required for deeper insights in related and/or uncovered fields. IHI providers, healthcare providers, and healthcare receivers have potential for a more cost-effect combination of IHI and health communication.