Internet Use for Health-Care Information by Subjects With COPD

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although the internet is an important tool for entertainment, work, learning, shopping, and communication, it is also a possible source for information on health and disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of subjects with COPD in São Paulo, Brazil, who use the internet to obtain information about their disease. METHODS: Subjects (N ‫؍‬ 382) with COPD answered a 17-question survey, including information regarding computer use, internet access, and searching for sites on COPD. Our sample was distributed according to the socioeconomic levels of the Brazilian population (low, 17.8%; medium, 66.5%; and high, 15.7%). RESULTS: Most of the subjects in the sample were male (62.6%), with a mean age of 67.0 ؎ 9.9 y. According to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages, 74.3% of the subjects were in stage II or III. In addition, 51.6% of the subjects had a computer, 49.7% accessed the internet, and 13.9% used it to search for information about COPD. The internet was predominantly accessed by male (70.3%) and younger (64.6 ؎ 9.5 y of age) subjects compared with female (29.7%, P ‫؍‬ .04) and older (67.5 ؎ 9.6 y of age, P < .007) subjects. Searching for information about COPD on the internet was associated with having a computer (5.9-fold), Medical Research Council dyspnea level 1 (5.3-fold), and high social class (8.4-fold). The search for information on COPD was not influenced by GOLD staging. CONCLUSIONS: A low percentage of subjects with COPD in São Paulo use the internet as a tool to obtain information about their disease. This search is associated with having a computer, low dyspnea score, and high socioeconomic level.

Leveraging Big Data for Exploring Occupational Diseases-Related Interest at the Level of Scientific Community, Media Coverage and Novel Data Streams: The Example of Silicosis as a Pilot Study

“…Predictors of searching for information about COPD on the Internet were: having a computer, reporting a low dyspnea score, and being of a high socioeconomic level. [29] On the contrary, Duplaga found that, in Poland, 200 patients with COPD reported high levels of acceptance of e-health applications and access to information. [30] Moreover, ICTs seem to enable the design and implementation of a person-centered healthcare delivery for patients suffering from COPD at different steps: from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation.…”

The effect of the development of web-based supporting system for military health promotion using participatory approach : a case study of First Infantry Regiment, The King's Own Bodyguard

“…Because of its innovation, cost effectiveness, and ability to deliver health information and services to remote locations, eHealth is being widely embraced (Obasola et al, 2015). Much has been written about the advantages of using eHealth resources for promoting health in different population groups around the world (Delgado et al, 2015;Gutierrez et al, 2014;Huberty et al, 2013;Montagni et al, 2016;Muellmann et al, 2016; C. D. Norman & Yip, 2012).…”

“…In health promotion field, much has been written about the advantages of using eHealth resources in different population groups around the world (Delgado et al, 2015;Gutierrez, Kindratt, Pagels, Foster, & Gimpel, 2014;Huberty, Dinkel, Beets, & Coleman, 2013;Montagni et al, 2016;Muellmann, Forberger, Mollers, Zeeb, & Pischke, 2016;C. D. Norman & Yip, 2012).…”