Internet access and internet health information-seeking behaviors as a function of trust in health information from the internet and from health care providers

Objectives. Research suggests that differential access to digital technologies, often called the “digital-divide,” inadequately explains inequalities in internet health-information seeking behavior (iHISB). Within the knowledge-gap framework, social-psychological determinants impacting iHISB appear increasingly important. Our research explored whether trust in health information from the internet and health care providers was related to three levels of internet use (not accessing the internet, accessing internet without iHISB, and engaging in iHISB).

Methods. Assessments of iHISB (internet as the primary source for health information), trust in health information from the internet and health-care providers, and demographics were drawn from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Logistic regression models, adjusting for demographics and the complex survey design, were computed.

Results. Trust in internet (OR 2.03, CI 1.82-2.27) and providers (OR 1.26, CI 1.04-1.54) health information were associated with a significant increase in the odds of accessing the internet. Trust in internet health information was associated with an increase in the odds of accessing the internet without iHISB (OR 1.56, CI 1.36-1.79), and engaging in iHISB (OR 2.07, CI 1.77-2.42).

Conclusions. Research suggests that social-psychological determinants impacting motives to seek information may be underlying iHISB, beyond access to technology. Our findings are consistent with this research, suggesting that trust in online health information may be one factor motivating iHISB. Additional research is needed to examine trust in information sources as a gateway factor for iHISB in the context of other motives, such as the presence of diseases and health conditions.