Online Health Information (OHI) Utilization among Selected Worksite Employees in Taiwan

摘要

Purpose - This study compared Internet and online health information (OHI) utilization among selected employees age 40-49 and 50-64 years, and examined the influence of age, gender, education, and worksite. Methods - A questionnaire was administered to participants from two worksites in Taiwan.Results - A total of 527 employees completed the survey (mean age = 46.21 years). Participants age 40-49 years old were more likely to have ever gone online (84.8% vs. 60.0%), visited Internet more frequently and stayed longer. They were also more likely to seek for OHI (77.8% vs. 56.4%), find OHI useful, and change health behaviors. After adjusting for gender, education, and worksite, those age 40-49 years were still more likely to utilize the Internet (OR=2.86), to use it every day (OR=1.87), and to stay more than an hour (OR=2.24).Conclusion a€“ Findings provide researchers and workplace managers better understandings on OHI behaviors among middle age employees in Taiwan. This is the first international study using some of the same Internet and OHI measures developed in the U.S. and piloted in Taiwan, and examining OHI behaviors by key demographic characteristics including worksite. The results could build important foundation for future cross-nation comparisons, as well as Internet studies on health communication.