Silvia Elena Gallagher|Donna Doherty
Searching for health information online: characteristics of online health seekers
Health Research Board|Health Research Board
investigate use willingness use internet health information purposes ireland particular focus demographic mental health users nonusersdata health research board national psychological wellbeing distress survey analyzed telephone survey included 2711 adults aged 18 years living private households ireland internet use measured using three items past use use specifically health information willingness use internet future current psychological wellbeing measured using 12item general health questionnaire addition mental health problems previous year measured sociodemographic variables examined included age gender employment status educationonline healthseeking differed significantly gender age employment status educational level substantial proportion internet users poor mental health found searched health information online high willingness use internet health information future nonusers reportedthis study shown mental health problems use internet search health information often experienced problems also shown still digital divide terms online health seeking influenced age gender education employment status findings highlight need address access technological psychological perceptual issues may present barriers use online health seeking