Yoshimitsu Takahashi|Tomoko Ohura|Tatsuro Ishizaki|Shigeru Okamoto|Kenji Miki|Mariko Naito|Rie Akamatsu|Hiroki Sugimori|Nobuo Yoshiike|Koichi Miyaki|Takuro Shimbo|Takeo Nakayama
Internet Use for Health-Related Information via Personal Computers and Cell Phones in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Survey
Kyoto University|Seijoh University|Kyoto University|Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology|Kyoto University|Osaka University of Economics and Law|Nagoya University|Ochanomizu University|Daito Bunka University|Aomori University of Health and Welfare|National Center for Global Health and Medicine|National Center for Global Health and Medicine|Kyoto University
internet known used health purposes general public world however little known use attitudes toward activities regarding ehealth among japanese populationthis study aimed measure prevalence internet use healthrelated information compared sources examine effects user knowledge attitudes activities regard internet use healthrelated information japan examined extent use via personal computers cell phoneswe conducted crosssectional survey quasirepresentative sample n 1200 japanese general population aged 1579 years september 2007 main outcome measures 1 selfreported rates internet use past year acquire healthrelated information contact health professionals family friends peers specifically healthrelated purposes 2 perceived effects internet use health carethe prevalence internet use via personal computer acquiring healthrelated information 238 2861200 among surveyed whereas prevalence via cell phone 6 77 internet use via personal computer cell phone communicating health professionals family friends peers common internet used via personal computer acquiring healthrelated information primarily younger people people higher education levels people higher household incomes majority used internet health care purposes responded internet improved knowledge affected lifestyle attitude felt confident healthrelated information obtained internet however less onequarter thought improved ability manage health affected healthrelated activitiesjapanese moderately used internet via personal computers health purposes rarely used internet via cell phones older people people lower education levels people lower household incomes less likely access internet via cell phone internet moderately improved users healthrelated knowledge attitudes seldom changed healthrelated abilities activities encourage communication health providers consumers important improve ehealth literacy especially middleaged people also important make adequate amendments reimbursement payment system nationwide ehealth privacy security framework develop collaborative relationship among industry government academia