ABSTRACT

Social media (SM) have fundamentally changed the way we exchange information, including how we communicate about health. The goal of this study was to describe current prevalence and predictors of SM use by analyzing nationally representative data from the 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Multivariate logistic regression models examined the odds of engaging in four SM activities: visiting social networking sites, sharing health information on SM, participating in online support groups, and watching health-related videos. In 2019, approximately 86% of Internet users reported engaging in at least one SM activity. Younger age and female gender were associated with higher likelihood of engaging in all SM activities. No significant ethnic/racial disparities were observed for most SM activities, but Hispanics were found to be more likely to report watching health-related videos. Additionally, those with regular health care access were more likely to participate in online support groups. Previous HINTS survey cycles were also used to examine change in SM use over time, showing that general SM use has increased substantially since 2007, but the use of SM for health-related purposes has not increased to the same extent. The dynamic and evolving nature of SM makes systematic assessment vital. Knowledge of current SM use patterns could make health communication efforts more effective and equitable.

摘要

社交媒体 (SM) 从根本上改变了我们交换信息的方式，包括我们如何就健康进行交流。本研究的目的是通过分析 2019 年健康信息全国趋势调查 (HINTS) 的全国代表性数据来描述 SM 使用的当前流行率和预测因素。多元逻辑回归模型检查了参与四种 SM 活动的几率：访问社交网站、分享有关 SM 的健康信息、参与在线支持小组和观看与健康相关的视频。2019 年，大约 86% 的互联网用户报告至少参与了一项 SM 活动。年龄较小和女性与参与所有 SM 活动的可能性较高相关。大多数 SM 活动没有观察到显着的种族/种族差异，但西班牙裔被发现更有可能报告观看与健康相关的视频。此外，那些定期获得医疗保健服务的人更有可能参加在线支持小组。之前的 HINTS 调查周期也用于检查 SM 使用随时间的变化，表明自 2007 年以来，SM 的一般使用量大幅增加，但用于健康相关目的的 SM 使用并没有增加到同样的程度。SM 的动态和不断发展的性质使系统评估变得至关重要。了解当前的 SM 使用模式可以使健康传播工作更加有效和公平。表明自 2007 年以来一般 SM 的使用大幅增加，但用于健康相关目的的 SM 使用并没有增加到同样的程度。SM 的动态和不断发展的性质使系统评估变得至关重要。了解当前的 SM 使用模式可以使健康传播工作更加有效和公平。表明自 2007 年以来一般 SM 的使用大幅增加，但用于健康相关目的的 SM 使用并没有增加到同样的程度。SM 的动态和不断发展的性质使系统评估变得至关重要。了解当前的 SM 使用模式可以使健康传播工作更加有效和公平。