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

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  • Ningyuan Guo
  • Ziqiu Guo
  • Shengzhi Zhao
  • Sai Yin Ho
  • Daniel Yee Tak Fong
  • Agnes Yuen Kwan Lai
  • Sophia Siu-chee Chan
  • Man Ping Wang
  • Tai Hing Lam

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

Suggested Citation

  • Ningyuan Guo & Ziqiu Guo & Shengzhi Zhao & Sai Yin Ho & Daniel Yee Tak Fong & Agnes Yuen Kwan Lai & Sophia Siu-chee Chan & Man Ping Wang & Tai Hing Lam, 2021. "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, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0249400
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kasisomayajula Viswanath & Leland K Ackerson, 2011. "Race, Ethnicity, Language, Social Class, and Health Communication Inequalities: A Nationally-Representative Cross-Sectional Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, January.
    2. Pandey, Sanjay K. & Hart, John J. & Tiwary, Sheela, 2003. "Women's health and the internet: understanding emerging trends and implications," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(1), pages 179-191, January.
    3. Man Ping Wang & Kasisomayajula Viswanath & Tai Hing Lam & Xin Wang & Sophia S Chan, 2013. "Social Determinants of Health Information Seeking among Chinese Adults in Hong Kong," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(8), pages 1-7, August.
    4. Man Ping Wang & Xin Wang & Tai Hing Lam & Kasisomayajula Viswanath & Sophia S Chan, 2013. "Health Information Seeking Partially Mediated the Association between Socioeconomic Status and Self-Rated Health among Hong Kong Chinese," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(12), pages 1-7, December.
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