Women's Health Information Survey: Common Health Concerns and Trusted Sources of Health Information Among Different Populations of Female Patients

Self-Rated Health Status and the Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study of Middle-Aged and Older Chinese

Objectives

Evidence on the relationship between self-rated health status and incident type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in China is scarce. This study aims to examine the prospective association of self-rated health status with the subsequent risk of T2DM among middle-aged and older Chinese subjects.

Methods

Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study of 9844 Chinese individuals aged 45 years or older. Cox proportional hazards models were used to yield hazard ratios (HRs) relating self-rated health status to the 7-year incidence of T2DM, adjusting for conventional risk factors.

Results

Compared to those with very good or good self-rated health, individuals with poor health had a significantly higher risk of developing T2DM in the multivariable-adjusted model [HR = 1.36 (1.07, 1.73)]. Subgroup analysis by sex showed stronger associations in women [HR = 1.53 (1.11, 2.12)]. Interaction analyses indicated that factors such as age, sex, obesity, smoking status, drinking status, history of hypertension and history of dyslipidemia did not modify the association (all P-interaction >0.05).

Conclusion

Poor self-rated health status is associated with a higher risk of developing T2DM in middle-aged and older Chinese people.

TikTok as a Source of Health Information and Misinformation for Young Women in the United States: Survey Study

BACKGROUND

TikTok is one of the most-used and fastest-growing social media platforms in the world, and recent reports indicate that it has become an increasingly popular source of news and information in the United States. These trends have important implications for public health because an abundance of health information exists on the platform. Women are among the largest group of TikTok users in the United States and may be especially affected by the dissemination of health information on TikTok. Prior research has shown that women are not only more likely to look for information on the internet but are also more likely to have their health-related behaviors and perceptions affected by their involvement with social media.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a survey of young women in the United States to better understand their use of TikTok for health information as well as their perceptions of TikTok's health information and health communication sources.

METHODS

A web-based survey of US women aged 18 to 29 years (N=1172) was conducted in April-May 2023. The sample was recruited from a Qualtrics research panel and 2 public universities in the United States.

RESULTS

The results indicate that the majority of young women in the United States who have used TikTok have obtained health information from the platform either intentionally (672/1026, 65.5%) or unintentionally (948/1026, 92.4%). Age (959/1026, 93.47%; r=0.30; P<.001), education (959/1026, 93.47%; ρ=0.10; P=.001), and TikTok intensity (ie, participants' emotional connectedness to TikTok and TikTok's integration into their daily lives; 959/1026, 93.47%; r=0.32; P<.001) were positively correlated with overall credibility perceptions of the health information. Nearly the entire sample reported that they think that misinformation is prevalent on TikTok to at least some extent (1007/1026, 98.15%), but a third-person effect was found because the young women reported that they believe that other people are more susceptible to health misinformation on TikTok than they personally are (t1025=21.16; P<.001). Both health professionals and general users were common sources of health information on TikTok: 93.08% (955/1026) of the participants indicated that they had obtained health information from a health professional, and 93.86% (963/1026) indicated that they had obtained health information from a general user. The respondents showed greater preference for health information from health professionals (vs general users; t1025=23.75; P<.001); the respondents also reported obtaining health information from health professionals more often than from general users (t1025=8.13; P<.001), and they were more likely to act on health information from health professionals (vs general users; t1025=12.74; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that health professionals and health communication scholars need to proactively consider using TikTok as a platform for disseminating health information to young women because young women are obtaining health information from TikTok and prefer information from health professionals.

Menstrual cycle abnormalities in women: characteristics, perceptions, and health-seeking behaviours

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate menstruation characteristics, perceptions, and health-seeking behaviours in women.

METHODS

We conducted this cross-sectional study with 394 women between February 2021 and October 2021. According to the self-perception of women, menstruation characteristics were divided into two groups, including 'normal' and 'abnormal'. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Assessment Form of the Menstrual Cycle Characteristics, and Health-Seeking Behaviour Scale.

RESULTS

Among all women, 49.7% perceived their menstruation characteristics as 'normal', and 50.3% perceived them as 'abnormal'. The menstruation characteristics negatively affected the daily life of 57.6% of women in the normal group and 68.7% of women in the abnormal group. Online health-seeking behaviour was the most common behaviour of seeking remedy; however, professional health-seeking behaviour was inadequate. Among women who perceived their menstruation characteristics as 'normal', excessive menstrual bleeding, extreme pain, and adverse effects on daily life increased health-seeking behaviour. Among women who perceived their menstruation characteristics as 'abnormal', irregular cycles, frequent bleeding, low levels of bleeding, the use of too many pads, extreme pain, and adverse effects on daily life increased health-seeking behaviour.

CONCLUSION

The participants in this study exhibited insufficient health-seeking behaviour for abnormal menstruation characteristics. Women should be directed by health professionals to reliable online sources to seek help, and they should be encouraged to display professional health-seeking behaviour.

Unmet Needs Discussed on Reddit by Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a disabling disorder that impacts 1.8 percent to 5.8 percent of menstruating women for 1-2 weeks each month. Many affected women turn to social media platforms for the information and the support they feel that they do not get from other sources. We sought to better understand the most strongly expressed unmet needs of women with PMDD by analyzing their posts and comments on one of the largest social media platforms (Reddit), which has been providing important insights into other medical problems. We searched Reddit using the subreddit title "r/PMDD" for posts from January 2020 through November 2021. To identify the most prevalent issues, we included all written posts with a submission score of at least 5 and at least three comments. Two authors classified each post; inconsistencies were resolved by a third reviewer. Over 800 posts were reviewed; 250 met study criteria; additionally, over 875 comments were evaluated. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: emotional responses to PMDD; unanswered questions women had about the diagnosis and treatment of PMDD; the impact that PMDD had on personal relationships, and, finally, the recommendations women made to others based on their own experience, accurate or not. These themes are detailed in this article to provide insights into what many women with PMDD experience and what their frustrations and misunderstandings are about the condition so that clinicians may better help address women's unspoken questions and correct their possible misinformation.

Health Information Seeking by Women with Physical Disabilities: A Qualitative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Health information seeking is critical to medical decision-making and optimal health. Although researchers have begun to explore how people with disabilities search for health information, no studies have investigated health information seeking by women with physical disabilities.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the health information seeking experiences of women with physical disabilities.

METHOD

We conducted a series of semi-structured, online focus group meetings with 21 women with disabilities. Sessions were recorded and transcribed, and data were analyzed using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Two broad themes emerged: 1) pathways to information on general health; sexual and reproductive health; as well as bowel, bladder, and other pelvic health issues; and 2) perceived facilitators and barriers to obtaining health information. Information pathways differed by the type of information sought. Internet was a commonly used resource, with a high value placed on social media interaction among peers. Self-advocacy emerged as a prominent facilitator of health information seeking. Barriers identified were lack of disability-related education, limited accessibility, and providers' negative attitudes.

CONCLUSION

This is the first known in-depth qualitative exploration of health information seeking by women with disabilities. Study findings revealed pathways to information commonly used by women with disabilities. The study also identified notable gaps and challenges to health information seeking including the need for improved provider education and training. Findings highlight the importance of the availability and accessibility of high quality, health-related information essential for the health and well-being of women with disabilities.