Understanding Associations between Information Seeking and Scanning and Health Risk Behaviors: An Early Test of the Structural Influence Model

Can health information acquisition on mobile app influence psychological and physical well-being? Examining mediating role of bonding and bridging capital

Mobile application (app), with its expansive reservoir of data and content, harbors considerable promise in advancing health outcomes at both the individual and population levels. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of scholars that concretely examine the dynamics of health information acquisition within mobile app. This research presents a conceptual model aimed at investigating the potential ramifications of health information acquisition on both individuals' psychological and physical well-being. Concurrently, this research attempts to illuminate the underlying mechanisms behind these correlations through evaluating the mediating role of bonding and bridging social capital. The obtained results of a web-based survey conducted among 656 college students in mainland China suggest a positive association between health information acquisition and bonding and bridging social capital. Moreover, the study reveals that the impact of health information acquisition via mobile applications on psychological and physical well-being is significantly mediated by college students' bonding and bridging social capital. The cultivation of bonding social capital could exert a direct and positive influence on college students' physical well-being. However, there appears to be no discernible correlation between bridging social capital and physical well-being. Taken collectively, these findings not only complement extant theoretical perspectives within the scholarship concerning mobile app usage for health improvement, but also furnish several pragmatic guidelines for healthcare professionals and mobile app designers.

Factors Impacting Chinese Older Adults' Intention to Prevent COVID-19 in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era: Survey Study

BACKGROUND

Understanding the factors influencing individuals' health decisions is a dynamic research question. Particularly, after China announced the deregulation of the COVID-19 epidemic, health risks escalated rapidly. The convergence of "no longer controlled" viruses and the infodemic has created a distinctive social period during which multiple factors may have influenced people's decision-making. Among these factors, the precautionary intentions of older individuals, as a susceptible health group, deserve special attention.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the intention of older adults to engage in preventive behaviors and the influencing factors, including social, media, and individual factors, within the context of the postepidemic era. Drawing upon the structural influence model of communication, this study tests the potential mediating roles of 3 different types of media exposure between cognitive and structural social capital and protective behavior intention, as well as the moderating role of negative emotions between social capital and media exposure.

METHODS

In this study, a web survey was used to collect self-reported quantitative data on social capital, media exposure, negative emotions, and the intention to prevent COVID-19 among older adults aged ≥60 years (N=399) in China.

RESULTS

The results indicate that cognitive social capital significantly influenced protective behavior intention (P<.001), with cell phone exposure playing an additional impactful role (P<.001). By contrast, newspaper and radio exposure and television exposure mediated the influence of structural social capital on protective behavior intention (P<.001). Furthermore, negative emotions played a moderating role in the relationship between cognitive social capital and cell phone exposure (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that using tailored communication strategies across various media channels can effectively raise health awareness among older adults dealing with major pandemics in China, considering their diverse social capital characteristics and emotional states.

From Information Seeking and Scanning to the Practice of Healthy Habits: A Longitudinal Test of the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction in the Context of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Fruit and vegetable intake is essential for health, but global adherence to recommended levels remains insufficient. Health information exposure positively influences consumption, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aims to explore the relationships between information seeking and scanning, attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intentions, and fruit and vegetable intake, following the main tenets of the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction (IM). Data were collected through face-to-face surveys in Santiago, Chile, with a representative sample of individuals aged 25 and older in two waves. Findings revealed that intentions in Wave 1 predicted fruit and vegetable consumption in Wave 2, with positive associations between attitudes, norms, PBC, and intentions. Information seeking was positively associated with attitudes, norms, and PBC, and it had indirect effects on fruit and vegetable consumption through attitudes, norms, PBC, and intentions. Information scanning did not show significant indirect effects on fruit and vegetable consumption, even though the path between scanning and attitudes was significant. The study provides support for the IM and highlights the importance of information seeking in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption through its influence on attitudes, norms, and PBC. The findings have practical implications for health campaigns, educational programs, healthcare interactions, and public policies targeting healthier dietary habits.

Using the Structural Influence Model to Explore U.S. Latina/O/X/E Undocumented Immigrants' COVID-19 Information Acquisition, Perceptions, and Prevention Behaviors

In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. undocumented immigrants were at heightened risk of contracting COVID-19, with many of them being "frontline essential workers" and residing in crowded living spaces. Given undocumented immigrants' elevated susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 at the peak of uncertainty surrounding the virus, we used the structural influence model of communication to explore: (1) how undocumented immigrants acquired information about COVID-19; (2) how they assessed information trustworthiness and accuracy; (3) their perceptions of COVID-19; and (4) how they prevented or managed COVID-19. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with 46 Latina/o/x/e undocumented immigrants residing in California, we found four key themes: (1) (dis)trust in traditional media as participants relied heavily on social media for COVID-19 information; (2) weak and strong ties played a crucial role in co-constructing health outcomes with different levels of organization; (3) learning about COVID-19 through (in)direct experiences; and (4) coping through health literacy and cultural beliefs. The study's findings can inform future efforts to reach highly-vulnerable immigrant communities during a crisis (or different outbreaks in COVID-19 variants), and hopefully, help reduce health inequities.

Measuring media-related health and mental health information acquisition among Latino adults in the United States

OBJECTIVES

We developed and evaluated new media-related health information acquisition measures for U.S.-based Latino populations.

METHODS

In 2021, a sample of U.S.-based Latino adults (N = 1574) self-completed a 20-min survey of health information acquisition measures across three language/cultural dimensions: Spanish media, Latino-tailored media in English, and general media in English. Socio-demographics were also ascertained. Means and standard deviations for the health acquisition measures were adjusted for age and sex and reported across nativity status.

RESULTS

The sample was diverse across age, gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, migration, and language competency. Internal consistency reliability of developed scales was excellent overall and within age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic subgroups (Cronbach's alphas = 0.86-0.94). English media scales had higher means overall indicating higher prolonged quantity (i.e., dosage) than Spanish media scales. In contrast, standard deviations for Spanish media scales were higher overall indicating broader reach at lower doses than English media scales.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest English-language media is popular among Latino populations overall. However, Spanish-language media retains broad reach through both passive and active exposure. Our findings demonstrate the value of including more nuanced measurement of health information acquisition such as the scales developed in this study to improve health promotion among Latino populations.

The Underlying Mechanisms of Active and Passive Cancer Information Behaviors: A Comparative Study Between Hong Kong and the United States

Although increasingly popular, theoretical frameworks describing complex and multidimensional cancer information behaviors remain limited. In response, this study developed a context-specific model by integrating cancer worry into the situational theory of problem solving (STOPS) to explain individuals' active and passive information behaviors. An online survey conducted in Hong Kong (N = 593) and the United States (N = 625) revealed that STOPS factors play different roles in explaining active and passive information behaviors, with the referent criterion and situation motivation being the dominant factors of active and passive information behaviors, respectively. Cancer worry partly mediated the relationship between such behaviors and situational motivation. While the effect of STOPS factors can be generally replicated across Hong Kong and U.S. contexts, the effects of cancer worry cannot. Altogether, our study has answered the call for research on the boundary conditions of STOPS and a more systematic understanding of cancer information behaviors.

Information scanning in the COVID-19 pandemic: a test and expansion of the channel complementarity theory using latent class analysis

BACKGROUND

During health crisis, individuals need information to comprehend their circumstances. Channel complementarity theory posits that in meeting their informational needs, people will use different sources in a complementary fashion. This paper puts to test the main tenet of channel complementarity theory by focusing on information scanning (i.e. routine health information exposure) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile.

METHOD

A survey was conducted among a sample of Chilean adults (N = 2,805). The questionnaire addressed information scanning across six sources (television, radio, internet, social media, family, and friends or coworkers) and explores how socioeconomic and demographic variables, as well as COVID-19 perceived risk related to scanning. Latent class analysis was employed to identify patterns of complementarity across channels.

RESULTS

The analysis yielded a solution of five classes, namely 'high complementarity and high frequency' (21%), 'high complementarity and low frequency' (34%), 'high frequency on television and digital media' (19%), 'mass media predominant' (11%), and 'no scanning' (15%). Educational attainment, age, and COVID-19 perceived risk were associated with scanning.

CONCLUSIONS

Television was a central channel for information scanning during the pandemic in Chile and more than half of participants scanned COVID-19 information complementarily. Our findings expand channel complementarity theory to information scanning in a non-US context and provide guidelines for designing communication interventions aiming at informing individuals during a global health crisis.

Scanned information exposure and support for tobacco regulations among US youth and young adult tobacco product users and non-users

The influences of information exposure on youth and young adults' (YYA) support for smoking/vaping regulations have been understudied. This study examines (i) the relationships between routine exposure to (i.e. scanning) anti-smoking/pro-vaping information and YYA support for anti-smoking/vaping regulations and (ii) whether these relationships differ across YYA users and non-users of tobacco products. We analyzed the data from a nationally representative two-wave rolling cross-sectional survey of YYA in the United States, collected from 2014 to 2017 (baseline n = 10 642; follow-up n = 4001). Less than 5% of the participants ever scanned pro-smoking and anti-vaping information. Scanning anti-smoking information had significant positive relationships with support for all anti-smoking policies cross-sectionally, and this pattern was longitudinally significant in two anti-smoking policy contexts. Scanning pro-vaping information had significant negative associations with support for anti-vaping policies cross-sectionally, but not longitudinally. The lagged positive relationships between scanning anti-smoking information and support for anti-smoking regulations were stronger among YYA smokers than among YYA non-smokers, whereas evidence from adult data suggested the opposite pattern. The findings suggest that scanning information can affect YYA support for tobacco regulations. Future efforts are required to investigate mechanisms underlying the influences of scanned information on YYA support for tobacco regulations.

Information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic: Application of the risk information seeking and processing model

Background

To limit the risk of contracting the coronavirus, it is crucial for individuals to attain accurate COVID-19 related information. Once equipped with such information, they can engage in risk preventive behaviors.

Objective

Applying the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study examined the sociopsychological factors predisposing individuals’ information-seeking intentions.

Methods

This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Using an online survey platform, study participants were recruited from US adults. A total of 510 valid responses were included in the analyses. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted in a hierarchical fashion while controlling for numerous covariates to determine the relationships between the sociopsychological variables and information-seeking intentions.

Results

Sociodemographic disparities were found in perceptions of COVID-19 risk. Perceived risk of coronavirus infection was higher among females, individuals with a history of COVID-19 symptoms, and those in a lower health status. Individuals' perceived risk provoked affective responses (e.g., worry and fear), which then increased self-perceived information insufficiency. This finding indicated individuals experienced worry and fear after perceiving the risk of coronavirus. Such affective responses made them realize that their current COVID-19 related knowledge was insufficient. Subjective norms were also found to increase information insufficiency. In other words, individuals who desired to comply with others’ expectations to acquire knowledge about the risk recognized that their current knowledge about coronavirus was insufficient. Finally, individuals who acknowledged information insufficiency were motivated to seek information about the coronavirus. The relation between information insufficiency and information-seeking intentions was moderated by perceived information gathering capacity, but not by relevant channel beliefs.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that policy makers and clinicians assist the public in obtaining accurate information from reliable sources.

Effect of information encounter on concerns over healthy eating- mediated through body comparison and moderated by body mass index or body satisfaction

BACKGROUND

Understanding factors that influence healthy or unhealthy eating can inform intervention strategies. This study ascertained whether and how unintentional exposure to food and nutrition information influenced healthy eating concerns. The study tested body comparison, body satisfaction, and body mass index as three mechanisms that potentially link food information encounter, commonly known as information scanning, to healthy eating concerns.

METHODS

A sample of 440 online participants (mean age = 29.15 years) was used to investigate: (1) how unintentional exposure to food and nutrition information, i.e., information encounter (IE), affects healthy eating concerns (HEC); (2) how the effect of IE on HEC is mediated by body comparison (BC); (3) how the paths of the mediation model are moderated by body satisfaction (BS) or body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

The findings show a positive and sizable total effect of IE on HEC - a whole-scale increase in information encounter is associated with a substantial increase in healthy eating concerns by 15 percentage points (b_p = 0.150). BC is found to mediate the effect of IE on HEC in an all-positive complementary mediation. Both the indirect and the direct-and-remainder paths show sizable effects. The mediated path contributes about 20% of the total effect between IE and HEC (c_p = 20%), while the direct-and-remainder path contributes the rest (c_p = 80%). BS was found to moderate the relationship between IE and BC, the first leg of the mediation. The moderation effect is large - the effect of IE on BC is much smaller on the highly and the moderately satisfied than on the lowly satisfied (slope differential b_p = -.60). BMI was found to moderate the direct-and-remainder effect of IE on HEC, controlling BC. That is, the effect of IE on HEC, after filtering out the mediated effect through BC, is much larger for those with high or low BMI than those with healthy BMI (slope differential b_p = .32).

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure, even if unintentional, to food and nutrition information is an important predictor of HEC. BC, BS, and BMI are important factors that help to explain the process through which information affects behaviors.

Motivations for nutrition information-seeking behavior among Belgian adults: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Nutrition information-seeking behavior is highly prevalent even though it can be challenging to find reliable nutrition information in the current media landscape. Previous quantitative research has identified which population segments use which sources, yet little is known about motivations underpinning nutrition information-seeking behavior. Understanding motivations for seeking nutrition information can increase the efficacy of future nutrition education efforts. The present study aims to identify motivations for nutrition information-seeking behavior among Belgian adults.

METHODS

In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 adults (n women = 15, n men = 4, n other = 1). Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed in NVivo 12 using inductive thematic analysis. The coding process involved open and axial coding combined with constant comparison to identify themes.

RESULTS

The interviews revealed a diverse spectrum of motivations for nutrition information-seeking behavior. Five categories of motivations centered on health management, cognitive needs, affective needs, social integrative needs, and personal identity. Participants indicated seeking nutrition information to regain a sense of control over their health and it also helped them express their autonomy. Additionally, participants sought nutrition information out of curiosity or out of a long-standing interest. Nutrition information-seeking was also used as a form of emotion regulation with participants actively engaging in seeking behavior to pursue enjoyment, diversion, confirmation, inspiration, and even relaxation. Furthermore, nutrition information-seeking enabled participants to meet social integrative needs by helping them connect to others, gather social support, help others, and sometimes convince others. Lastly, participants indicated a need for nutrition information to express or defend their identity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that beneath the surface of a more apparent need for nutrition information lies a range of motivations demonstrating that nutrition information serves more complex needs than simply information needs. To improve the efficacy of future nutrition education efforts, communication strategies must be tailored to a diverse range of motivations.

Can High Exposure Help to Close Gaps? The Influence of COVID-19 Preventive Messages on Behavioral Intentions by Educational Attainment in Chile

The literature in the field of health communication has shown the existence of gaps between groups of different socioeconomic levels both in exposure to health campaign messages and in the influence these messages exert on individuals' health decisions. In this article, we examine the association between educational attainment and exposure to messages promoting COVID-19 preventive behaviors, namely, physical distancing, handwashing, and masks wearing in Chile. In addition, we model the association between exposure to these messages and the intentions to carry out the behaviors, as well as the differences attributable to educational attainment in the influence of exposure. A cross-sectional population survey combining online and telephone techniques was conducted among 3,592 adults in Chile. Regression analysis revealed that lower educational level and frequency of television use were positively associated with greater exposure to preventive messages. Exposure to preventive messages, in turn, was positively associated with intentions to maintain the three behaviors examined. Individuals in the lower educational attainment group had lower intentions to engage in two of the three behaviors, but those in these segments who were more exposed to preventive messages were as likely as their more educated counterparts to intend wearing masks and adhering to physical distance. The findings of this study underscore the importance of reaching the least educated segments with campaign messages in the context of public health crisis, since these messages can close gaps between the more and less educated group in their intentions to engage in preventive behaviors.

Information Seeking and Risk Reduction Intentions in Response to Environmental Threat Messages: The Role of Message Processing

Communicating complex information about environmental health risks in a single message is impossible. Thus, message designers hope that risk messages encourage people to think more about the message and risks, look for more information, and ultimately make behavior changes. The presentation of information about environmental risks using threat appeals is a common message design strategy thought to increase message engagement and influence attitudes, information seeking, and risk reduction behaviors. We compared lower threat messages, which did not include explicit statements about susceptibility and severity of a risk, to higher threat messages, which did. We combined predictions from the extended parallel process model with dual-process theories of persuasion to examine whether people respond to these types of messages differently. In an online experiment, participants (N = 892) were randomly assigned to a message condition (higher or lower threat) and topic condition (arsenic, bisphenol A, or volatile organic compounds). Overall, participants exposed to higher threat messages (regardless of risk topic) reported experiencing higher levels of fear. Higher levels of fear were associated with more positive thoughts about the message (in alignment with the message advocacy) and fewer negative thoughts about the message (against the message advocacy), both of which influenced message attitudes. Finally, message attitudes were associated with increased information seeking and intentions to engage in risk reduction behaviors.

Information Scanning Impacts Nonmedical Drug Use Among College Students: A Longitudinal Study of Scanning Effects

Health information that is acquired through information scanning has been shown to play an important role in shaping individual beliefs and health behavior. This study examines the direct and indirect effects of the breadth of scanning from media and interpersonal sources about two risk behaviors (nonmedical use of amphetamines and marijuana) on subsequent drug use behavior through changes to perceived norms. We test effects of scanning using a longitudinal online survey design with data collected at six-month intervals over three time points among 800 Israeli undergraduate students in their freshman year. Of the 800 respondents who participated in the first wave, 62.4% completed the second wave (N = 499), among which 347 (69.5%) completed a follow-up 6 months later. Results of cross-lagged structural equation models find that scanning information about amphetamines from interpersonal sources at 6 months predicted an increased likelihood of nonmedical use of amphetamines at 12-months. In addition, young adults who scanned information about marijuana from media sources at 6 months reported greater nonmedical marijuana use at 12 months. Breadth of scanning about marijuana from media sources mediated the relationship between perceived norms and marijuana use at 12 months. Results also showed indirect effects of scanning at baseline on nonmedical drug use at 12 months through scanning from the same source at 6 months. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of information scanning and perceived norms in shaping substance use behaviors, and suggest that scanning may serve as a potential early indicator of risk.

Information Seeking Behaviors and Intentions in Response to Environmental Health Risk Messages: A Test of A Reduced Risk Information Seeking Model

This study tests the effects of environmental health risk messages on perceived risk, information needs and decisions to seek information, testing a reduced risk information seeking and processing model (R-RISP). Participants (N = 1,823) were randomized to one of three risk conditions (arsenic, bisphenol A [BPA] or volatile organic compounds [VOCs]) and one of the three message conditions (high threat, low threat or no message); participants in the high and low threat message conditions were also randomly assigned to a seeking cue to action condition (with or without seeking cue). Overall, the results support the R-RISP model, demonstrating the importance of current knowledge perceptions and informational subjective norms in information acquisition decisions. In addition, the results also provide initial evidence that environmental health risk messages can prompt information seeking and increase intentions to seek information in the future. Avenues for future research are discussed.

Fear of Zika: Information Seeking as Cause and Consequence

This study examined the relationship between information seeking and fear during the Zika-induced global health crisis. A longitudinal survey of women in the Southern U.S. (N = 306) was conducted in 2016, beginning just days after the World Health Organization declared Zika a global crisis. The data showed that time 1 fear stimulated information seeking at time 2 and that time 2 information seeking caused fear at time 3. This pattern held regardless of whether participants were pregnant or planning to become pregnant (high personal relevance) versus neither (low personal relevance). The findings are at odds with most theories of fear appeals and only partially supportive of contemporary models of information seeking. From an applied standpoint, the results suggest (a) that information seeking should not be assumed to produce uniformly attractive outcomes and (b) that, during a disease crisis, health agencies should anticipate proactive behaviors by members of the public and plan accordingly.

Associations between absolute and relative electronic cigarette harm perceptions and information-seeking behaviours among US adult current, former and never smokers

INTRODUCTION

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) harm perceptions and information seeking behaviours are both important antecedents of e-cigarette use, yet the relationship between them has been rarely studied. We assessed how absolute (e-cigarettes are harmful to my health) and relative harm perceptions (e-cigarettes are more/less harmful than cigarettes) were associated with specific e-cigarette information seeking behaviours in a sample of current, former and never cigarette smokers.

METHODS

We used data from US adults in two cycles of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS-FDA 2015, n = 3738; 2017, n = 1736). Analyses controlled for socio-demographics, ever e-cigarette use and survey cycle. Data were analysed between January and August 2020.

RESULTS

Higher relative harm perceptions were associated with lower odds of having sought any information on e-cigarettes [adjusted odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval (0.48, 0.84)] and on how to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking specifically [adjusted odds ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval (0.38, 0.91)]. Smoking status did not moderate associations between absolute or relative harm perceptions and information seeking behaviours, nor was it associated with specific information seeking behaviours after adjusting for covariates.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The risks of e-cigarettes relative to combusted cigarettes (as opposed to the absolute risks of e-cigarettes) appear to be more important in individuals' information seeking behaviours about e-cigarettes. Public health messages could ensure that all individuals understand how one's health risk would change if they exclusively used e-cigarettes, switched to e-cigarettes completely or used both products.

Characteristics of the Measurement Tools for Assessing Health Information-Seeking Behaviors in Nationally Representative Surveys: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has also emerged as an infodemic, thereby worsening the harm of the pandemic. This situation has highlighted the need for a deeply rooted understanding of the health information-seeking behaviors (HISBs) of people.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper was to review and provide insight regarding methodologies and the construct of content in HISB surveys by answering the following research question: what are the characteristics of the measurement tools for assessing HISBs in nationally representative surveys around the world?

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was used as the framework for this study. A data search was performed through 5 international and 2 Korean databases covering the years between 2008 and 2020. Initially, studies performed among nationally representative samples were included to discover HISB survey instruments. The methodologies of the studies using HISB surveys were analyzed. For content analysis, 2 researchers reached a consensus through discussion by scrutinizing the contents of each survey questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 13 survey tools from 8 countries were identified after a review of 2333 records from the search results. Five survey tools (Health Information National Trends Survey, Health Tracking Survey, Annenberg National Health Communication Survey, National Health Interview Survey, and Health Tracking Household Survey) from the United States, 2 instruments from Germany, and 1 tool from each of the countries of the European Union, France, Israel, Poland, South Korea, and Taiwan were identified. Telephone or web-based surveys were commonly used targeting the adult population (≥15 years of age). From the content analysis, the domains of the survey items were categorized as follows: information (information about health and patient medical records), channel (offline and online), and health (overall health, lifestyle, and cancer). All categories encompassed behavioral and attitude dimensions. A theoretical framework, that is, an information-channel-health structure for HISBs was proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study can contribute to the development and implementation of the survey tools for HISB with integrated questionnaire items. This will help in understanding HISB trends in national health care.

[Health information behavior of 65+: reaching older target groups]

Hintergrund

Der Anteil älterer Personen in der Bevölkerung wächst stetig. Gleichzeitig steigen im Alter die Risiken für gesundheitliche Probleme. Aus Sicht der Gesundheitsförderung ist es deshalb wichtig, diese Zielgruppe zu erreichen. Für die Auswahl geeigneter Kommunikationskanäle sollte das Mediennutzungs- bzw. Gesundheitsinformationsverhalten berücksichtigt werden. Dabei kann auch eine Segmentierung der heterogenen Zielgruppe 65+ in Teilzielgruppen notwendig sein.

Ziel des Beitrags

Der Beitrag liefert aktuelle empirische Daten zum Gesundheitsinformationsverhalten der Zielgruppe 65+ insgesamt sowie spezifischer Teilzielgruppen. Auf dieser Basis können geeignete Kommunikationskanäle ausgewählt werden, um diese Gruppen gezielt zu erreichen.

Methodik

Es wurden zunächst 20 Personen mit qualitativen Leitfadeninterviews befragt und anschließend eine standardisierte telefonische Befragung von 1001 zufällig ausgewählten Personen ab 65 Jahren durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Die Zielgruppe 65+ kann am besten über interpersonale und traditionelle, massenmediale Quellen erreicht werden. Dabei spielen, insbesondere für chronisch kranke Menschen, auch gesundheitsspezifische Angebote wie Apothekenzeitschriften eine wichtige Rolle. Weiterhin stellen Gespräche mit medizinischem Personal eine wichtige Quelle für chronisch Erkrankte und Menschen mit einem eher negativen Altersbild dar. Über das Internet werden eher Männer und Personen mit höherem Einkommen erreicht.

Diskussion

Die Älteren in Deutschland sind eine heterogene Zielgruppe. Bei der Erreichbarkeitsplanung müssen Unterschiede im Gesundheitsinformationsverhalten verschiedener Teilzielgruppen berücksichtigt werden. Weiterhin sollten auch Inhalte und Gestaltung von Kommunikationsmaßnahmen evidenzbasiert konzeptioniert werden.

The Effects of Social Determinants on Public Health Emergency Preparedness Mediated by Health Communication: The 2015 MERS Outbreak in South Korea

The influence of social determinants and health communication on Public health emergency preparedness (PHEP) as well as the mediating effect of health communication were investigated with respect to the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea. Data were collected through a survey six months after the de facto end of the outbreak and a total of 855 subjects completed the surveys and were included in the analysis. The results suggested that the public's preventive (hand hygiene) and avoidance (avoiding hospitals even when sick) behaviors that were frequently practiced during the pandemic were influenced by their social determinants both direct and indirect pathways. Health communication such as information seeking and processing mediated the effect of social determinants on the behaviors and information seeking was found to have the most significant mediating effect on the relationship between the practice of both preventive and avoidance behaviors and social determinants such as education and age. The results of the present study will deepen our understanding of PHEP by identifying key factors that influence the public's behavioral responses as well as providing information to public health emergency management and health risk communication officials to implement strategies necessary in improving PHEP.

From Risk Butterflies to Citizens Engaged in Risk Prevention in the Zika Virus Crisis: Focusing on Personal, Societal and Global Risk Perceptions

This study investigates how posting information about the Zika virus on social media, and receiving information about Zika through the same platforms, are associated with personal, societal and global risk perceptions, and whether different types of risk perceptions are related to information seeking and preventive behavior intentions. A survey of U.S. participants (N = 958) revealed that posting information on social media is positively associated with personal and societal risk perceptions but not with global risk perceptions. Receiving information through social media, however, is positively associated with personal, societal and global risk perceptions. Personal and societal risk perceptions are associated with high information seeking intentions, which in turn leads to preventive behavioral intentions. The results suggest that so-called risk butterflies-those who frequently post information on social media-relate the health crisis to themselves and to their communities, and that these are important motivations for information-seeking and risk preventive behavior.

Information Seeking as A Predictor of Risk Behavior: Testing A Behavior and Risk Information Engagement Model (BRIE)

Prior theoretical models of information seeking have examined its role, primarily, as a determinant of recommended behaviors. In this study, we develop and test the "behavior and risk information engagement" (BRIE) model, which accounts for the reciprocal effects of information seeking from interpersonal and media sources on two risk behaviors - nonmedical marijuana and amphetamine use. We test the model among young Israeli adults (N = 800) using a three-wave prospective observational study (at 6-month intervals). Autoregressive cross-lagged structural equation models showed good fit. Information seeking from interpersonal sources at baseline predicted amphetamine use and marijuana use at 6 months. In both models, seeking drug-related information from interpersonal sources at baseline was also a predictor of seeking information from media sources at 6 months. Information seeking from media sources at 6 months was also a significant predictor of amphetamine use at 12 months. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Information seeking in the context of cigarette smoking: predictors from the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS)

Background: The CMIS indicates that key variables in actively obtaining information on cigarette smoking are demographics, direct experience, salience, and beliefs, which affects subsequent evaluations and utility of information. Method: Cross-sectional data were drawn from the HINTS-FDA 2015 national survey in which a stratified random sample of the U.S. postal addresses (N = 3,738) self-administered a mailed paper questionnaire. Path analysis was conducted to test the CMIS. Results: Age, income, education, sexual orientation, beliefs about behavior change, and salience are significant predictors of perceived utility of information.Direct predictors of information seeking on health effects are comprehension of information (β = .06, 95% CI: .02-.09, p < .05), trust in information sources (β = .23, 95% CI: .18-.276, p < .01), and confidence in obtaining information (β = .10, 95% CI: .047-.160, p < .05). The final model produced fit indices of c² = 356.48, df = 24, CFI = .91, RMSEA = .061 (95% CI: .055-.067), R² = .098. Conclusions: The CMIS is a valid theoretical framework in predicting information seeking on cigarette smoking. This study closes a gap in the literature by addressing key factors simultaneously that influence information seeking on health effects and cessation of cigarette smoking.

Race/Ethnic Variations in Predictors of Health Consciousness Within the Cancer Prevention Context

PURPOSE

Although the literature establishes a link between health consciousness (HC) and prevention behavior, less explored are the individual, social, and health characteristics that are associated with increased HC. Similarly, underexamined is the influence of race and ethnicity on the relationship of these characteristics to higher levels of HC.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional study aims to identify and assess the relative importance of factors associated with higher levels of HC, highlighting the role of race and ethnicity.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants came from a national research panel survey (N = 1007).

MEASURES

Participants completed a 4-item scale capturing key concepts of HC as well as questionnaires capturing demographic profiles, social support, social networking activities, and health status.

ANALYSIS

A stepwise multiple regression was used to identify significant predictors of HC.

RESULTS

Female and more educated participants report higher levels of HC. African American and Hispanic participants report higher levels of HC compared to white participants. Findings indicate social support, social network participation, education, cancer survivorship, and health status were positively associated with higher HC for the collective sample. However, results revealed variations in factors associated with higher HC when stratified by race/ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that interventions aiming to motivate cancer prevention behaviors within at-risk communities may find more success by incorporating factors that are aligned with increased HC among culturally diverse populations.

Knowledge mobilisation: an exploratory qualitative interview study to confirm and envision modification of lay and practitioner eczema mindlines to improve consultation experiences and self-management in primary care in the UK

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether initial eczema mindlines, 'collectively reinforced, internalised, tacit guidelines', are an accurate representation of the experiences of lay people and practitioners in primary care and to explore how these mindlines may best be revised to improve eczema care.

DESIGN

Exploratory qualitative interviews with constant comparative analysis and data mining.

SETTING

UK, primary care.

PARTICIPANTS

People with eczema or parents of children with eczema (n=19) and primary care practitioners (n=13).

RESULTS

Interview data were analysed using constant comparison of new data with existing initial eczema mindlines to identify areas of agreement and disagreement. Data were mined for participant's thoughts about whose mindlines should be modified, how this may be achieved and what core content is essential. Eczema mindlines and the spiral of knowledge creation, from which they evolved, intuitively made sense. Participants offered examples of how their eczema knowledge is continually produced and transformed as they interact with others. They reported diverse and wide-ranging influences on their thinking and recognised the critical relationship between lay and practitioner mindlines. For this reason they advocated modifying lay and practitioner mindlines in parallel. Participants advised amendment based on consistent information directed to all who influence eczema care. Information should come from trusted sources and be easy to access, distilled, practical, contextually relevant and amenable to assimilation.

CONCLUSIONS

The purpose here is to improve primary care consultation experiences and self-management in eczema. The remaining challenge is to find novel, simple and pragmatic methods of modifying eczema mindlines to instil shared and consistent understanding. Given the prevalence of eczema and the scope of people who influence self-care, interventions should transcend patient-practitioner boundaries and address the wider community. One conceptually congruent approach is to create a Ba, which in this case would be a virtual space for generating and sharing eczema knowledge.

Tobacco Risk Information and Comparative Risk Assessment of E-Cigarettes Vs. Cigarettes: Application of the Reinforcing Spirals Model

We examine how individuals seek information about e-cigarette risk and selectively expose themselves to media sources that may provide information consistent with their existing beliefs and behaviors related to e-cigarettes in application of the Reinforcing Spirals Model (Slater, 2007). Additionally, the associations among e-cigarette risk information-seeking, tobacco risk information exposure via media, and comparative risk assessment of e-cigarettes versus conventional cigarettes were identified. The results were compared among current users, former users, and those who had never used e-cigarettes ("never users"). A nationally representative data from the 2017 Health Information National Trends Surveys - FDA was employed. Our analyses suggest the presence of comparative risk perception among current users as assessing the health harm and addiction risk of e-cigarettes significantly lower than cigarettes. Current users did not avoid information about the health effects of e-cigarettes; they were more likely to look for such information than former and never users. Current users' e-cigarette risk information-seeking was negatively associated with the difference between perceived addiction risk of e-cigarettes and that of cigarettes. Current users' tobacco risk information exposure via social media was related with a lower level of the perceived risk of e-cigarettes, while such exposure via news media was related with a higher level of perceived risk of e-cigarettes. Our findings suggest the need for regulating and counteracting the prevalent e-cigarette information that discounts the relative risks of e-cigarettes as well as the potential of news media as influential sources helping current users scrutinize the risks.

From Screen to Screening: Entertainment and News Television Media Effects on Cancer Screening Behaviors

The complementary effects of genre-specific media use and information-seeking behaviors on cancer prevention behaviors have been understudied in cancer communication literature. A secondary analysis of the Annenberg National Health Communication Survey (ANHCS) was conducted to investigate the effects of two types of televised media content (i.e., news and entertainment programs) on three types of cancer screening behaviors through active health information seeking behavior (HISB) from other mass media. The results show that routine entertainment and news television viewing significantly predicted HISB above and beyond demographic variables and perceived health status. HISB partially mediated the effects of entertainment and news television viewing on colon cancer and breast cancer screening behaviors (i.e., sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, mammogram) while fully mediating their effects on prostate cancer screening behavior (PSA). Future advocacy efforts should continue to use mass media like television to raise awareness of various types of cancer and preventative measures. Additionally, more collaborations should be conducted between public health professionals and content creators to design effective health content on promoting cancer prevention behaviors on mass media platforms.

Ethnic Differences for Public Health Knowledge, Health Advocacy Skills, and Health Information Seeking Among High School Students: Community Agents of Change

Although adult health advocacy programs have been examined in communities, little is known about integrated adolescent health advocacy programs in high schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the health advocacy program impact and ethnic differences among high school students. Using a cross-sectional study, high school students participating in the school-based program completed evaluation surveys. The program domains included upstream causes of health, community assets, and public health advocacy. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine ethnic differences for public health knowledge, health advocacy skills, and health information seeking behaviors. Using thematic analysis, open-ended survey item responses were coded to identify themes for students' perceptions of community health. Non-Hispanic (n = 72) and Hispanic high school students (n = 182) in ten classes reported owning smartphones (95%) and laptops (76%). Most students (72%) reported seeking online health information. Non-Hispanic students reported significantly higher health advocacy skills for speaking with the class about health issues, identifying community services, or creating health awareness at school than Hispanic students. Non-Hispanic students were more likely to seek health information from fathers and television than Hispanic students. Hispanic students were more likely to seek health information from hospital or clinic staff than non-Hispanic students. Emergent themes included health advocacy skills, community awareness, and individual and community health changes. High schools benefit from integrating health advocacy programs into the core curriculum. Adolescents gain important skills to improve their individual health and engage in changing community health.