Epidemiol Health.  2015;37:e2015030. 10.4178/epih/e2015030.

What predicts the trust of online health information?

• Kwon JH
• Kye SY
• Park EY
• Oh KH
• Park K

• KMID: 2380667
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4178/epih/e2015030

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Little attention has been paid to levels of trust in online sources of health information. The objective of this study was to investigate levels of trust in various sources of health information (interpersonal channels, traditional media, and Internet media), and to examine the predictors of trust in health information available on the Internet.
METHODS
A questionnaire was administered to 1,300 people (20 years of age or older), evaluating levels of trust in various sources of health information.
RESULTS
The highest level of trust was expressed regarding interpersonal channels, with hospital physicians regarded as the most trusted source of information age and income showed an association with trust in online information sources. Elderly people were not likely to trust Internet news sources, and high incomes were found to be strongly associated with trust in online sources of information overall.
CONCLUSIONS
Public health organizations must consider the predictors for trust in various sources of information in order to employ appropriate media when targeting vulnerable individuals or developing messaging strategies for health professionals.

Keyword

Trust; Internet; Health information

MeSH Terms

Aged
Health Occupations
Humans
Internet
Public Health