title: Online health information seeking among Jewish and Arab adolescents in Israel: results from a national school survey.
abstract: This study examined patterns and determinants of seeking online health information among a nationally representative sample of 7,028 Jewish and Arab 7th- through 12th-grade students in 158 schools in Israel. Nearly all respondents (98.7%) reported Internet access, and 52.1% reported having sought online health information in the past year. Arab students (63%) were more likely than Jewish students (48%) to seek online health information. Population-group and sex differences in health topics sought online were identified, although fitness/exercise was most common across groups. Multivariate regression models revealed that having sought health information from other sources was the strongest independent correlate of online health information-seeking among Jews (adjusted odds ratio = 8.93, 95% CI [7.70, 10.36]) and Arabs (adjusted odds ratio = 9.77, 95% CI [7.27, 13.13]). Other factors associated with seeking online health information common to both groups were level of trust in online health information, Internet skill level, having discussed health/medical issues with a health care provider in the past year, and school performance. The most common reasons for not seeking online health information were a preference to receive information from a health professional and lack of interest in health/medical issues. The closing of the digital divide between Jews and Arabs represents a move toward equality. Identifying and addressing factors underpinning online health information-seeking behaviors is essential to improve the health status of Israeli youth and reduce health disparities.
authors.affiliation: Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel. yehudan@ekmd.huji.ac.il
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Neumark
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lopez-Quintero
authors.forename: Becca S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hirsch Allen
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shtarkshall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires