Relationship of Social Participation With the Ability to Use Online Health Services in Middle-aged People of Kashan, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Social participation involves playing a role by expressing opinions, making decisions, and accepting responsibilities in society. The use of online health services can promote people’s perception of health. This study aims to determine the relationship of social participation with the ability to use online health services in middle-aged people of Kashan, Iran. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 280 middle-aged people referred to comprehensive health service centers in Kashan City in 2020-2021. A social participation questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire of the ability to use online health services were used for data collection. chi-square and Fisher’s exact test, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation test were used. Results: Of 280 participants, 154(55%) were female and 243(86.8%) were married. The mean score of social participation was 43.8±57.21 (on a scale from 14 to 70), indicating a moderate level. The mean score of ability to use online health services was 65.73±16.20 (on a scale from 20 to 100). Social participation had a positive significant correlation with the ability to use online health services (r=0.14, P=0.024) and attitude towards technology (r=0.26, P0.05). Conclusion: Social participation of middle-aged people in Kashan City is correlated with their ability to use online health services. This result can help the health system policymakers in designing educational programs for maintaining or improving the health and social participation of middle-aged people in society.

Keywords

• middle aged
• social participation
• health services