Cervical cancer patient information-seeking behaviors, information needs, and information sources in South Korea.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore the cancer information needs, utilization, and source preferences in South Korean women with cervical cancer.


METHODS
This was a multicenter descriptive study comprising 968 cervical cancer patients (stages 0-IVb; mean age, 55 years; response rate, 34.4% of those who agreed to participate) who had been treated from 1983 through 2004 at any of the six South Korean hospitals. The study data were obtained through a mail-in self-response questionnaire that asked about the patients' cancer information needs, cancer-information-seeking behavior, information sources, and type of information needed. It also collected data about anxiety and depression.


RESULTS
Of the 968 cervical cancer patients, 404 (41.7%) had sought cancer information. When patients felt a need for information, their information-seeking behavior increased (overall risk = 4.053, 95% confidence interval = 2.139-7.680). Television and/or radio were the most frequently cited sources, and narratives about cancer experiences were the most easily understood forms of cancer information. More younger patients preferred booklets and pamphlets, while more older patients preferred television and radio. The most needed cancer information at the time of diagnosis and treatment involved diagnosis, stage, and prognosis while after treatment ended it involved self-care techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical cancer patients' need of cancer information varied with age and treatment phase. These findings should help guide the development of educational materials tailored to the needs of individual patients.
Noh
Hang-In
HI
Division of Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Cancer Information and Education Branch, 111 Jungbalsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Jong Min
JM
Yun
Young Ho
YH
Park
Sang Yoon
SY
Bae
Duk-Soo
DS
Nam
Joo-Hyun
JH
Park
Chong Taik
CT
Cho
Chi-Heum
CH
Kye
Su Yeon
SY
Chang
Yoon Jung
YJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007723:Korea; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*