The Challenging Triangle: Online Health Information Seeking, Uncertainty, and Cyberchondria

Abstract

Online health information seeking can be related to various factors. Past studies have shown that two factors of uncertainty and cyberchondria can play a role in this regard. In this regard, the present research was designed to investigate online health information seeking with uncertainty and other criteria using a descriptive survey method. It was carried out in the research community of Ahvaz health network clients. The data collection tool was three questionnaires, and the findings were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The findings showed that in the sample of 260 people under investigation, the mean of online health information seeking in the group of women was higher than that of men, but no significant difference was reported. In examining the average uncertainty and cyberchondria in gender groups, uncertainty was reported higher in women than men (significant difference). However, cyberchondria was not significantly different in the groups of men and women. No significant difference was observed regarding the educational level. Among the research variables, the uncertainty and doubt in facing the information have increased online health information seeking among the visitors to the health centers of Ahvaz City. According to the current research results, planning and training in health information search and making valid health information accessible in various information platforms by the policymakers and managers of the country's health system is necessary and inevitable.

Keywords

• online health information seeking
• uncertainty
• cyberchondria