Online Health Information–Seeking Behaviors Among the Chongqing Population: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

• DOI: 10.2196/56028
• Publication Date: 2025-05-05T22:18:13Z
• Authors: Honghui Rong; Lu Lu; Miao He; Tian Guo; Xian Li; Qingliu Tao; Yixin Li; Chuanfen Zheng; Ling Zhang; Fengju Li; Dali Yi; Enyu Lei; Ting Luo; Qinghua Yang; Ji-an Chen
• Keywords: Health Literacy; Cross-sectional study; Demographics

Abstract Background With the rapid development of internet and its widespread use, online health information–seeking (OHIS) has become a popular important research topic. Various benefits OHIS are well recognized. However, seems to be mixed blessing. Research on been reported in Western countries high-income regions eastern China. Studies population western region China, such as Chongqing, still limited. Objective The aim study was identify prevalence, common topics, methods factors influencing these behaviors among Chongqing population. Methods This cross-sectional questionnaire conducted from September October 2021. A web-based sent users aged 15 years older using Chinese survey hosting site (N=14,466). Data demographics, information resources, topics were collected. Factors that may influence literacy assessed chi-square test multivariate logistic regression models. Results total 67.1% (9704/14,466) participants displayed behaviors. Participants who younger, had higher educational level, worked medical staff or teachers more likely engage OHIS, while those living rural areas, ethnic minorities, farmers less seek web ( P <.01). Among population, most topic searched behavior (87.4%, 8483/9704), method seeking through WeChat (77.0%, 7468/9704). Conclusions is prevalent Chongqing. Further could performed based identified herein high-priority, effective ways improving