Seeking health information and support online: Does it differ as a function of engagement in risky health behaviors? Evidence from the health information national trends survey

Background: the internet is an important tool to deliver health behavior interventions,yet little is known about internet access and use of health-related information,or support,by the intended intervention recipients. objective: our aim was to evaluate whether health-related internet use differed as a function of common health-risk behaviors (excessive alcohol consumption,smoking,low fruit/vegetable intake,inactive/sedentary lifestyle,unprotected sun exposure,or obesity). methods: sociodemographic,health behavior characteristics,and information on internet access and use were assessed in the nationally representative us health information national trends survey (hints) 4. data from 3911 participants collated in 2011/12 were included. results: of the 78.2% (95% ci 76.1-80.1) of participants who had ever accessed the internet,approximately three-quarters (78.2%,95% ci 75.4-80.7) had obtained health-related information online last year. about half had used the internet as the first source of health-related information (47.8%,95% ci 44.8-50.7) or to access behavioral support (56.9%,95% ci 53.7-60.0) in the last year. adjusting for sociodemographic determinants of going online (being younger,white,female,with at least college education) revealed few differences in internet access and use between health-risk behaviors. participants with inadequate sun protection were less likely to access the internet (or 0.59,95% ci 0.04-0.88) and those with low fruit/vegetable intake were less likely to have gone online to obtain health-related information last year (or 0.60,95% ci 0.45-0.80). smokers in particular were likely to use the internet to obtain behavioral support (or 1.90,95% ci 1.35-2.68). conclusions: internet access and use to obtain health-related information and support is widespread and mostly independent of engagement in various health-risk behaviors. however,those with low fruit/vegetable intake or inadequate sun-protective behaviors may be more difficult to reach with internet-based interventions. in addition,when developing online health promotions,relevant sociodemographic determinants of internet use need to be targeted to maximize their impact. ©lion shahab,jamie brown,benjamin gardner,samuel george smith.