Assessment of Online Health Information-Seeking Practices: A Survey Among Residents of Bengaluru City

Introduction

The internet gives people admittance to everything in the world. Information searching has changed fundamentally since the introduction of the internet. Individuals utilize the web to look for health information, diseases, preventive measures, and to get advice from specialists. Patients can learn about their health concerns, make decisions about their care, and change their behaviour by looking up health information online.¹

A 2014 study by Lalazaryan et al., provides an overview of several models and concepts pertaining to health information-seeking behaviour. The authors highlight the significance of such behaviour and its impact on individual health outcomes. Similarly, Anker, Reinhart, et al., examined various metrics and approaches used to explore how people search for health information.^2,3

According to Percheski et al., efforts should be taken to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has access to digital health information. Their paper sheds light on how digital technologies are shaping the ways in which people, especially young adults, seek health information. It underlines the necessity of guaranteeing fair access to digital health information as well as the potential benefits and challenges of using such technologies for health information seeking. Similarly, Kubb et al., study discussed the increasing availability and accessibility of health information on the internet, along with potential advantages and challenges associated with using online sources for this purpose.^4,5

A study by Sillence et al., reviewed existing literature on how patients evaluate and use online health information. Patients often search for information about their health conditions online, and this behaviour can have both positive and negative effects. It may also become overwhelming and confusing, particularly when patients encounter conflicting or inaccurate information. Morahan Martin noted that some users share health information found online with others, such as family members or online support groups. She further observed that while some users become more informed and engaged in their health care as a result of online research, others may become more skeptical of medical professionals and traditional medical treatments.^6,7

This study aimed to assess online health information-seeking behaviour among the public in Bengaluru. The findings will assist administrators and policymakers in healthcare organizations in improving their existing e-portals and websites. Bengaluru is one of the most prominent IT hubs in the world, and therefore, serves as an ideal setting to examine online health information-seeking practices among its residents.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive study was conducted among residents of Bengaluru using consecutive sampling. Data were collected through a standard questionnaire developed by Wong DK et al., which was available as an open source instrument. The questionnaire demonstrated high internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89, indicating high reliability. Content validity was ensured by adapting the eHEALS to the local context and language, while construct validity was examined through associations between eHEALS scores and variables like age, health status, and frequency of internet use. The questionnaire was distributed to respondents electronically via Google Forms.⁸

The sample size was estimated based on the study done by Wong DK et al., in which the reported prevalence of online health information-seeking behaviour was 87%.8 The Single Proportion - Absolute Precision formula, n = (Z2 x P x (1 - P))/e2, was used to calculate the required sample size. Assuming a similar prevalence, a minimum sample of 385 participants was needed to study online health information-seeking practices with an absolute precision of 3.5% and a 95% confidence interval. Individuals included in the study were residents of Bengaluru for at least two years and aged between 18 and 60 years.

Results

The following tables present the various health informa­tion-seeking practices of the respondents. The associa­tions between respondents’ demographic variables and their health information-seeking behaviours have also been presented.

Most respondents accessed online information about symptoms (58.4%) and healthy behaviour (57.4%). Moderate use was seen for service information (44.2%) and disease details (37.9%), while fewer searched for tests (27.0%), medications (19.2%), treatments (18.2%), and insurance (18.4%). The least accessed were vitamins (13.2%) and alternative medicine (12.2%), showing greater interest in general health awareness than specific medical details (Table 1).

Most respondents sought health information online when noticing new symptoms (54.0%) or deciding to change behaviour or daily routines (53.8%). Moderate numbers searched to find healthcare providers (42.3%) or prepare for consultations (35.3%). Few did so due to new diagnoses, medications, or doubts about doctors, showing that online searches are mainly driven by symptom awareness and lifestyle improvement (Table 2).

Most respondents used Google (67%) and online encyclopaedias (37.1%) to access health information, followed by news sites (32.5%) and health portals (27.8%). Fewer relied on hospital websites, social media, or government sources. The main reasons for choosing websites were convenience (53.8%) and ease of understanding (47.8%), while few depended on professional or personal recommendations (Table 3).

The frequency of online health information-seeking showed a significant association with gender, education level, and occupation (P < 0.05), but not with age (P > 0.05). Males, postgraduates, and employed individuals reported higher frequencies of online searches. Overall, education and employment status appear to influence how often respondents seek health information online (Table 4).

There was a significant association between demographic variables and seeking online health information for oneself and family members (P < 0.05), but not for friends or co-workers (P > 0.05). Males, postgraduates, and employed respondents were more likely to seek information for themselves, while females more often searched for family members (Table 5).

There was a significant association between demographic variables and the use of desktops, laptops, and tablets (P < 0.05), but not smartphones (P > 0.05). Smartphones were the most commonly used device across all groups, especially among younger and employed respondents. (Table 6)

 Discussion

Online health information-seeking practices constitute an important area of research in public health. With the internet readily accessible, people increasingly rely on it to obtain health-related information - a trend that is likely to continue. The benefits of online health information seeking are numerous. Individuals can learn about health conditions and symptoms, treatment options, and preventive measures. Furthermore, access to online health information can empower individuals to take greater responsibility for their own health and make more informed healthcare decisions.

Studies by Wang X et al., and Jia et al., reported that sev-eral factors influence online health information-seeking behaviour, including demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education level), health status, and individual attitudes and behaviours (e.g., perceived health benefits, perceived risk, trust in health information).^9,10 In the current study, males reported a higher frequency of internet use for seeking health information compared to females. Respondents with higher education levels, such as graduates and postgraduates, also used the internet more frequently to search for health-related information. Most respondents (54%) reported using the internet to manage ongoing medical conditions or to investigate new symptoms. In addition, most of them (67%) used Google to search for health information, primarily due to its convenience.

According to a 2006 study by McMullan M, patients typically search the internet for specific medical disorders. A study by Tan et al., further noted that accessing health information online can enhance the patient-physician relationship, depending on whether patients share the information with their doctors and the nature of their prior relationship. In the present study, among 385 respondents, 157 (40.8%) discussed the online health information with their doctors, 118 (30.6%) shared this information with doctors in the form of documents, 131 (34%) discussed specific diseases or diagnoses found online, and 129 (33.5%) discussed particular treatments, tests, and referrals found online.^11,12

According to the study by Graffigna et al., patients are more likely to engage with online health information when they hold favourable attitudes toward its use, possess stronger health literacy, and have easier access to online resources. In the present study, all 385 participants reported using the internet to seek health information. Among them, 86 (22.3%) used a desktop computer, 345 (89.6%) used a smartphone, 259 (67.3%) used a laptop, and 60 (15.6%) used a tablet to access health information.¹³

According to Tustin's study, patients who expressed greater confidence in online health information were more likely to use factors such as the reliability of the information source and the availability of supporting data to assess its quality. Quinn et al., reported that participants with higher eHealth literacy were more likely to express satisfaction with the online health information they found and to have greater confidence in their ability to locate and utilize such information effectively. In the present study, among 385 respondents, 148 (38.4%) disagreed about the awareness regarding the sources available on the internet, usage of the internet for health purposes, and confidence in making health-related decisions online; 187 (48.6%) were neutral, and 50 (13%) agreed with these statements.^14,15

Conclusion

The study revealed that males reported a higher frequency of internet usage for seeking health information compared to females. Respondents with higher education levels, such as graduates and postgraduates, also used the internet more frequently to search for health information. Employed respondents were more likely to seek health information online than those who were retired, unemployed, or students. Future research could focus on obtaining user feedback regarding hospital websites, which could assist managements/hospitals to develop more effective online platforms for individuals seeking health information.

Conflict of interest

None