Who makes use of Internet-delivered health information? The role of gender role self-concept in young men and women

Determinants of Access to Health Information on the Internet by Indonesian Women (2017 IDHS Analysis)

Background: Women use the Internet more often to access health information than men. Objective: This study aims to analyze the socio-demographic effect on women's access to health information via the Internet in Indonesia. Methods: This study uses data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). The sample include 19,389 women aged 15-54 years. The independent variables include age, education, working status, ownership index, type and area of residence. The dependent variable is the use of the internet to access health information. Data analysis with Chi-Square and binary logistics using the Stata application version 15.1. Results: Education level, age, wealth index, working status, type and area of residence were found to influence the behavior of Indonesian women in searching for health information through the Internet. Health information is sought more frequently by women who are younger, highly educated than older people and by those who have higher levels of wealth and status as working women. In addition, the search for health information is more often carried out in urban areas than in rural areas, and more in western Indonesia than in eastern Indonesia. Conclusion: Access to health information by Indonesian women on the Internet is influenced by various socio-demographic factors, taking into account sociodemographic characteristics and differences, all women should have equal access to reliable health information

An Empirical Study on Patients' Acceptance of Physician-Patient Interaction in Online Health Communities

In China, the utilization of medical resources is contentious, and a large of hospitals are seriously congested because of the huge population and uneven distribution of medical resources. Online health communities (OHCs) provide patients with platforms to interact with physicians and to get professional suggestions and emotional support. This study adopted the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to identify factors influencing patients’ behavioral intention and usage behavior when interacting with physicians in OHCs. An investigation involving 378 valid responses was conducted through several Chinese OHCs to collect data. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were utilized to test hypotheses. Both the reliability and validity of the scales were acceptable. All five hypotheses were supported, and behavioral intention played a significant mediating role between independent variables and dependent variables. This study clarified the mechanism by which performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and attitude toward using technology affect usage behavior through the mediation of behavioral intention in OHCs. These findings suggest that OHCs can change the actions of websites such as adopting some incentives to promote patients’ intention of interaction. Physicians should understand patients’ actual attitudes toward OHCs and try to guide patients in their interactions, improving the quality of physician–patient interaction.