title: Access and use of the Internet for health information seeking: a survey of local public health professionals in the northwest.
abstract: We conducted an on-line survey of 164 local health departments' staff in five Northwestern states in 2006-2007 to assess Internet access and use by staff. Most (96%) respondents had full-time access to their own worksite computer. The most important selection criterion for selecting Web sites was credibility of the sponsoring organization (55%). Accuracy (46%), reputable source (30%), and currency of information (19%) were considered most critical for assessing information quality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (80%) and state health department (60%) sites were used most commonly. These findings can be used to improve public health Web sites and support decision making in practice.
authors.affiliation: Center for Public Health Informatics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. amturner@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petrochilos
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Elizabeth D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Liddy
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015205:Northwestern United States; D011635:Public Health Administration