Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing (한국보건간호학회지)

Korean Society of public Health Nursing (한국보건간호학회)
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The Use of the Internet Health Information for the Elderly

고령층의 자가건강관리 역량강화를 위한 인터넷 건강정보 활용 실태

  • Jung, Woo-Sik (Department of Health Administration, Social Welfare & Health Information, CHA University) ;
  • Kang, Hyung-Gon (Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, CHA University) ;
  • Suk, Min-Hyun (Department of Nursing, CHA University) ;
  • Kim, Eun-Hye (Department of Health Administration, Social Welfare & Health Information, CHA University)
  • 정우식 (차의과학대학교 건강과학대학 보건복지정보학과) ;
  • 강형곤 (차의과학대학교 의학전문대학원) ;
  • 석민현 (차의과학대학교 간호대학 간호학과) ;
  • 김은혜 (차의과학대학교 건강과학대학 보건복지정보학과)
  • Received : 2011.02.11
  • Accepted : 2011.03.14
  • Published : 2011.03.31
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Abstract

Purpose: The number of people using the internet to meet their health information needs is growing. However, little is known about the characteristics of the senior internet health information seeker. The purpose of this study was to identify the socio-demographic and health-related characteristics, as well as the internet health information seeking behaviors and attitudes in the elderly. Method: Data was collected from 385 elderly subjects(aged 55 years or older) and living in Seoul and Gyeonggi. We used questionnaires developed by researchers in this study. Data was analyzed using the following methods: descriptive statistics, t-test, $X^2$-test and Fisher's exact test. All statistical tests were performed using the SAS version 9.13. Results: The elderly using the internet to seek health information had relatively good subjective health and were living with a spouse. In general, the purpose of internet use was to search for information, and mainly used at home. The search in the disease management area was higher than the frequency of searches for health promotion. The elderly showed a generally positive attitude regarding health information. Conclusion: It is needed to increase the use of the Internet for finding health information and promote accessibility for internet health information in the elderly.

Keywords

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