Health information-seeking in the digital age

Abstract

Objective: The authors examined the sources of health information among first-year university students and whether the predictors of information-seeking varied by information source.

Participants: First-year students in a required course at a midwestern public university were eligible to participate, and 82% (n = 1,060) completed the study.

Methods: Students completed a survey questionnaire regarding information-seeking behaviors and Internet uses in domains including health. The authors used regression analyses to examine predictors of source-specific health information-seeking.

Results: Young women are much more likely than young men to seek health information. The characteristics associated with looking online for health information are different than those for using other information sources, and students who look online for health information also report greater use of other information sources.

Conclusions: Although the Internet is an important source of health information for students, health professionals should be aware that not all students equally utilize this resource.