Health information-seeking behaviour (HISB), also known as ''health information seeking'', ''health seeking behaviour'' or ''health information behaviour'', refers to how people look for information about health and illness. HISB is a key strategy for many people to understand their health problems and to cope with illness. Recently, thanks to the development of the technologies and networks, people have a trend of seeking health information on the Internet. Particularly, when it comes to the following scenarios, people tend to carry out online HISB:
* Encountering health issues
* Received conflicting information
* The cause is relevant to known people (such as family members and friends)
* Out of curiosity
Definition
Health information-seeking behaviour refers to the various ways people look for information about health and illness. HISB can take different forms, for example actively looking for health information or passively receiving it while doing something else.
Impact on health
Health information seeking not only affects knowledge but can also change how people behave before, during and after their illness.
By condition
Inflammatory bowel disease
Among people with
inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) being the principal types. Crohn's disease affects the small intestine and large intestine ...
(
ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the other type being Crohn's disease. It is a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum. The primary sympto ...
or
Crohn’s disease
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, abdominal distension, and weight loss. Complications outside of the ...
), the information that is most commonly looked for usually concerns treatments and medication for their condition. Further information needs typically concerns basic information about inflammatory bowel disease, managing the condition and daily life, and its effects on sexuality and
reproductive health
Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a field of research, health care, and social activism that explores the health of an individual's Human reproductive system, reproductive system and sexual well-being during all stages of their life. Se ...
.
See also
*
Health literacy
Health literacy is the ability to obtain, read, understand, and use healthcare information in order to make appropriate health decisions and follow instructions for treatment. There are multiple definitions of health literacy, in part because hea ...
References
Health care
Information theory
Health informatics
Patient advocacy
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