Evaluation of Growth Information in Height on the Internet Web-sites

Ahn, So Hyun; Shim, Hae Sun; Kim, Dong Hyun; Kim, Soon Gi; Son, Byung Kwan; Kim, Ja Kyoung; Lee, Ji Eun

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the problems and the quality of the Internet Web-sites for management of short stature in childhood and adolescent.
METHODS
We evaluated 105 Web-sites identified from 5 search engines, Naver, Daum, Korean Yahoo, Nate and Empas, using the word of 'height and/or short stature'. According to Web-site author, total Web-sites were classified as academy & society, physician, commercials, portal site, oriental medicine, and unidentified. We accessed how well the Web-sites informed people about the diseases by of short stature.
RESULTS
Of the 105 Web-sites, 98 were accessible. 45 Web-sites (46%) were operated by oriental medicine group. Difference in IS between oriental medicine group and non-oriental medicine groups was significant (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
A great portion of Web-sites on short stature was operating by oriental medicine group. Oriental medicine Web-sites had a tendency to be omitted essential information on short stature and occasionally even had unhealthy information. This investigation could have a adverse influence that internet navigators for short stature might miss a chance of managing in time and there were huge increasing medical expense. There was strongly demand for reliable national certification system to certify to exellent quality for medical and health Web-sites.