ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objectives: to describe the profile of older adults who access the internet to search for health information and identify the factors that can influence older adults' decisions about their health based on information collected online. Methods: 391 older adults answered an online questionnaire regarding habits and satisfaction with information about health collected on the internet. Data processing involved Logistic Regression. Results: higher education reduces by 44% the likelihood of an older adult following the health recommendations on internet sites. However, social activities and self-perceived health increase the possibility of following the recommendations by 83% and 71%, respectively. The belief that the internet promotes healthy habits increases by 29.2 times the probability of an older adult following the advice. Final Considerations: knowing the profile of older adults who use the Internet can help professionals formulate public policies and build good information platforms on health and well-being.
RESUMO Objetivos: descrever o perfil dos idosos que acessam a internet para buscar informações sobre saúde e identificar os fatores que podem influenciar as decisões dos idosos sobre sua saúde com base nas informações coletadas online. Métodos: 391 idosos responderam a um questionário online sobre hábitos e satisfação com informações sobre saúde coletadas na internet. Processamento dos dados envolveu regressão logística. Resultados: ensino superior reduz em 44% a probabilidade de idosos seguirem recomendações de saúde em sites da internet. Porém, atividades sociais e autopercepção de saúde aumentam a possibilidade de seguir as recomendações em 83% e 71%, respectivamente. A crença de que a internet promove hábitos saudáveis aumenta em 29,2 vezes a probabilidade de idosos seguirem os conselhos. Considerações Finais: conhecer o perfil dos idosos que utilizam a internet pode auxiliar os profissionais na formulação de políticas públicas e na construção de boas plataformas de informação sobre saúde e bem-estar.
RESUMEN Objetivos: describir el perfil de los ancianos que acceden a internet para buscar información de salud e identificar los factores que pueden influir en las decisiones de los ancianos sobre su salud a partir de la información recopilada en línea. Métodos: 391 ancianos respondieron a un cuestionario online sobre hábitos y satisfacción con la información de salud recogida en internet. El procesamiento de datos implicó regresión logística. Resultados: la educación superior reduce en un 44% la probabilidad de que un anciano siga las recomendaciones de salud en los sitios web. Sin embargo, las actividades sociales y la salud autopercibida aumentan la posibilidad de seguir las recomendaciones en un 83% y un 71%, respectivamente. La creencia de que internet promueve hábitos saludables aumenta 29,2 veces la probabilidad de que un anciano siga un consejo. Consideraciones Finales: conocer el perfil de los ancianos que utilizan internet puede ayudar a los profesionales a formular políticas públicas y construir buenas plataformas de información sobre salud y bienestar.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The role of one's social network in the process of becoming health literate is not well understood. We aim to explain the 'distributed' nature of health literacy and how people living with a long-term condition draw on their social network for support with health literacy-related tasks such as managing their condition, interacting with health professionals and making decisions about their health. DESIGN: This paper reports a longitudinal qualitative interview and observation study of the development and practice of health literacy in people with long-term health conditions, living in South Wales, UK. Participants were recruited from health education groups (n = 14) and community education venues (n = 4). The 44 interview transcripts were analysed using the 'Framework' approach. RESULTS: Health literacy was distributed through family and social networks, and participants often drew on the health literacy skills of others to seek, understand and use health information. Those who passed on their health literacy skills acted as health literacy mediators and supported participants in becoming more health literate about their condition. The distribution of health literacy supported participants to manage their health, become more active in health-care decision-making processes, communicate with health professionals and come to terms with living with a long-term condition. Participants accessed health literacy mediators through personal and community networks. CONCLUSION: Distributed health literacy is a potential resource for managing one's health, communicating with health professionals and making health decisions.
