The Effect of Educational Differential on Health-Information-Seeking Behavior of Adults in Taiwan

• In Event: Roundtable Session 26
  In Roundtable Session: The Effects of Literacy, Information, and Environment on Health

Abstract

Educational differential can influence the acquisition of health information. The purpose of this study was to discover the differences of health information behavior of people with different educational levels, including the reasons for seeking, sources of information, using information, and difficulty for seeking information. The subjects were 747 adults of 20-65 years old in Taiwan. The results show that educational differential significantly influences health information behaviors. Adults with low educational level have less motivation to seek health information and tend to acquire information by fewer sources. It is more difficult for them to seek information and use the health information well. Medical professionals are influential for adults with low educational level.

Authors

• Mi-Hsiu Wei, Tzu-Chi University

• Chien-Hung Chen, Dahan Institute of Technology