Characteristics of patients seeking health information online via social health networks versus general Internet sites: a comparative study.
BACKGROUND
Camoni.co.il, a Hebrew-language social health network offers advice, consultation, and connection to others with chronic illness. This study compared characteristics and objectives of Camoni.co.il users and individuals seeking medical information through general Internet sites.


METHODS
Similar questionnaires were sent to 1009 Internet and 900 Camoni users. Cluster analysis defined four modes of online social health network use: "acquiring information and support", "communicating", "networking" and "browsing".


RESULTS
Six hundred and five Internet and 125 Camoni users responded. Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and lung diseases were found more often among general Internet users than Camoni users. Among Camoni users, "acquiring information and support" was the main motivation for individuals over age 55 years, women, those with lower income, chronic pain, obesity and depression. "Communicating" was the main incentive of men, those 20-34 years old, those with less education, or an eating disorder. "Networking" was the most significant motivation for those with multiple sclerosis or depression. Browsing was most frequent among individuals with multiple sclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Identifying needs of social health network surfers will allow planning unique contents and enhancing social health sites. Physicians might advise patients to use them to obtain support and information regarding their conditions, possibly leading to improved compliance and self-management.
Department of Management, Bar-Ilan University , Ramat Gan , Israel and.
Racheli
R
Magnezi
Dafna
D
Grosberg
Ilya
I
Novikov
Arnona
A
Ziv
Mordechai
M
Shani
Laurence S
LS
Freedman
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003142:Communication; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D060756:Social Networking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Chronic illness; internet users; social health network; social network