George Leonard Ettel|Ian Nathanson|Donna Lee Ettel|Christine Wilson|Paul Meola
How Do Adolescents Access Health Information? And Do They Ask Their Physicians?
University of South Florida|Eckerd College|University of South Florida|Eckerd College|University of South Florida|Eckerd College|University of South Florida|Eckerd College|University of South Florida|Eckerd College
objective improve understanding high school students use electronic tools obtain health information information affects behaviordesignmethods using crosssectional design administered anonymous survey high school students grades 9 12 single private catholic high school inquiring use electronic tools obtain health information topics interest sources used obtain information modifications behavior based informationdescriptive statistics multivariate analysis variance used compare trends across grade levelsresults 705 students enrolled 247 either absent chose participate surveyof remaining 531 students 497 completed surveys response rate 705 497 705 participation rate 936 497 531all students comfortable using internet 90 used home schoolaccess broadband applications averaged 95 home 80 schoola significant proportion 066 p 00001 students reported trusted information found online 22 significant modified behavior basis information foundfortytwo percent searched general health information 43 investigated specific medical conditions disease statestopics related skin researched significantly nutrition birth control sexually transmitted diseasesalthough significant number students p 005 reported conducting email conversations related health topics teachers 5 email communications physiciansconclusions data indicate high school students used internet broadband applications school home resources health care informationa significant number students trusted online information nearly onequarter subsequently modified behaviorstudents conducted email conversations teachers healthrelated topics students used tool communicate physiciansthis information raises questions design implementation strategies provide adolescents access appropriate health care information including provided physicians