Gender as an influencer of online health information‐seeking and evaluation behavior

Abstract

This article contributes to the growing body of research that explores the significance of context in health information behavior. Specifically, through the lens of trust judgments, it demonstrates that gender is a determinant of the information evaluation process. A questionnairebased survey collected data from adults regarding the factors that influence their judgment of the trustworthiness of online health information. Both men and women identified credibility, recommendation, ease of use, and brand as being of importance in their trust judgments. However, women also take into account style, while men eschew this for familiarity. In addition, men appear to be more concerned with the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the information, the ease with which they can access it, and its familiarity, whereas women demonstrate greater interest in cognition, such as the ease with which they can read and understand the information. These gender differences are consistent with the demographic data, which suggest that: women consult more types of sources than men; men are more likely to be searching with respect to a long-standing health complaint; and, women are more likely than men to use tablets in their health information seeking. Recommendations for further research to better inform practice are offered.

The Influence of eHealth Literacy on Perceived Trust in Online Health Communication Channels and Sources

“…The opposite relationship occurred at higher eHealth literacy, where females reported less perceived trust in online health information than their male counterparts. Women are considered active health information seekers and are more likely than men to consult more types of health information sources (Rowley, Johnson, & Sbaffi, 2015), which is suggestive of high eHealth literacy (Norman & Skinner, 2006a). Future research should explore why women with high eHealth literacy have less perceived trust in online health communication channels and sources, yet seek information at a greater rate than men.…”

Men's information‐seeking behavior regarding cancer risk and screening: A meta‐narrative systematic review

“…The literature reports that men seek health information less often than women . Moreover, men are more likely to engage in passive information‐gathering, whereas women are more likely to be active information‐seekers …”

“…12,13 Moreover, men are more likely to engage in passive information-gathering, whereas women are more likely to be active information-seekers. [13][14][15] Men 0 s lack of information-seeking is believed to be one of the leading causes for deprioritizing men 0 s health promotion among service providers and assuming that gendered approaches to health should be primarily focused on women, rather than both genders equally. [16][17][18] This, according to Leone and Rovito, negatively impacts on men 0 s engagement with health services and increases the health gap between both genders.…”

Information behaviour and practises research informing technology and service design

“…Others have focused on providing more knowledge on individuals' health information related capabilities and their opinions towards technology (e.g., Enwald, Hirvonen, Kangas, & Keränen, ) and for instance on specific factors and their influence on information use and design (e.g. time in Tana, Kettunen, Eirola, & Paakkonen, , gender in Rowley, Johnson, & Sbaffi, or diversity for Dali & Caidi, ).…”