Health information seeking and confidence to manage health: Differences by race

Background: The health and health outcomes of racial and ethnic minorities continue to lag behind their White counterparts. However, appropriate self-management can mitigate poor health outcome by increasing involvement in the control health. Furthermore, health information seeking is associated with positive health management. This study aimed to examine the association between health information seeking and confidence to manage health.

Methodology: Study data were drawn from the 2007 Health Tracking Household Survey, a nationally representative, telephone-administered survey of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals. Descriptive and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA 12.The analytical sample included 6214 men and women  > 18 with at least 1 physician visit in the previous year.

Results: Compared to those sought health information, those who did not seek health information were less likely to agree to be confident to tell a doctor concerns when not asked (OR .62) and to know when to seek medical care (OR .76).  Compared to Whites, Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to agree to be confident to know when to seek health care (OR .64 and .51) and to follow through on medical care needed at home (OR .51 and .64).  Hispanics were more likely to agree to be confident to take actions to (0R 2.00) compared to Whites.

CONCLUSIONS:  By providing information on appropriate use of health information and understanding the causes of the lack of confidence in Blacks and Hispanics, this might be helpful in crafting appropriate interventions for racial and ethnic minority groups.