Asian Oncol Nurs.  2024 Sep;24(3):155-164. 10.5388/aon.2024.24.3.155.

Health Information Seeking Pathways and Factors Influencing Health Literacy Among Cancer Patients: Based on Data from the 2nd Korean Health Panel 2021

• Hur YL
• Hong EJ

• KMID: 2559991
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2024.24.3.155

Abstract

Purpose
This study examines the health information-seeking pathways and health literacy levels of cancer patients, identifying factors that influence health literacy using data from the 2nd Korean Health Panel 2021 (Ver. 2.2).
Methods
The study utilized the 2021 annual data (Ver. 2.2) from the 2nd Korean Health Panel. A total of 363 participants were included in the final analysis. The data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0, employing frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, cross-tabulation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis.
Results
Health information seeking pathways were ranked in the order of active seeking, passive exposure, and interactive communication. Younger, higher educated, and higher-income patients favored active seeking, while older, less educated patients relied on passive exposure. Additionally, lower-income patients were found to more often use interactive communication. Education, income, and active seeking significantly influenced health literacy.
Conclusion
Tailored support for cancer patients with lower levels of education and income is crucial to empower active health information seeking, reduce information gaps, and enhance health literacy to ensure better health outcomes.

Keyword

Consumer health information; Health literacy; Information sources; Neoplasms