Introduction
The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is becoming increasingly expansive and affects many areas of human life. Various work, educational, and leisure activities cannot do without them. The period of emergency in recent months has further increased people's dependence on modern information technology in the areas of study and education, home office, mutual communication, information searching, scheduling tests or vaccinations, and others. Using the internet for information searching is also a typical phenomenon among the adult population.
"The internet is the largest global network that connects thousands of servers (computers permanently connected to the internet) and millions of computers using information stored on servers. It provides an enormous amount of information from virtually all areas and enables communication with the whole world" (Britvík, 2003, p. 65). Thanks to ICT, information is now available 24 hours a day to anyone with internet access. The freedom to publish on the internet also brings the risk of misinformation, because today anyone can publish anywhere. However, the internet offers immense time savings, dramatically eliminates distances, liberates the individual user, and creates a free, active space for global discussion and exchange of information on any topic (Meško et al., 2005). People of all age groups own ICT devices and when any health problems arise or when seeking further information about health and prevention, they use the virtual space of the internet more than personal consultation with experts or visiting a doctor or healthcare facility. This is especially typical for adults. Searching for health information on the internet can have positive aspects, but its negative aspects, which can determine a person's health and behavior in relation to their health, are also significant. Human health can be understood as a certain immediate state, but also as an ongoing process with its own dynamics (Hegyi, Ochaba, 2013).
Aim of the survey
The aim of the survey was to determine the extent of ICT use for searching health information on the internet among the adult population.
Methodology and sample
We obtained relevant data in the context of the survey objective through the method of empirical research – a non-standardized questionnaire of own design. The collection of empirical data was carried out using an online version of the questionnaire in the period from September 2020 to February 2021, in cooperation with the administrator of the internet portal www.prohuman.sk. The questionnaire was published on the aforementioned website and also on the social network Facebook. The survey results were processed in Microsoft Excel.
The survey sample consisted of 142 respondents. The selection of respondents from the population was purposive, with the inclusion criterion being the respondent's age of 18 years or older.
Respondents were aged from 19 to 70 years, with an average age of 37.09 years. The research sample included 131 (92.25 %) women and 11 (7.75 %) men (see Graph 1). An overview of respondents by education is shown in Graph 2, with respondents with university education predominating (51.41 %) over those with secondary education (48.59 %). Regarding place of residence, there was a higher number of respondents from villages, 84 (59.15 %), and 58 (40.85 %) respondents living in towns (see Graph 3).
Graph 1 Overview of respondents by gender
Graph 2 Overview of respondents by education
Graph 3 Overview of respondents by place of residence
Results
For the purpose of presenting the survey results, absolute (n) and relative frequencies (%) of individual answer types were extracted from the data set. The individual results are presented in graphical form; unique answers are given in the text accompanying the respective graph.
ICT devices are necessary for searching information on the internet, so we investigated which ICT devices respondents use most frequently in everyday life. The most frequently used ICT devices reported by respondents were mobile phones – 140 (98.59 %) respondents, and notebooks, reported by 111 (78.17 %) respondents. These were followed by desktop computers, used by 50 (35.21 %) respondents, tablets and smartwatches, which had the same frequency – 24 (16.90 %) respondents. Two respondents (1.41 %) chose the option "other," specifically a MacBook and a fitness tracker. An overview of the types of ICT used is shown in Graph 4.
Graph 4 Use of individual types of ICT
A common practice among the adult population, especially when health problems arise, is to search for information about diseases on the internet. Searching for information about health problems was confirmed by 126 (88.73 %) respondents. Conversely, 16 (11.27 %) respondents do not search for information of this kind on the internet (see Graph 5).
Graph 5 Searching for information about health problems on the internet
Pharmacotherapy, or the use of medications, is closely related to health problems. Information about medications on the internet is searched by 122 (85.92 %) respondents, as shown in Graph 6. Twenty (14.08 %) respondents are not interested in medication topics on the internet.
Graph 6 Searching for information about medications on the internet
The counterpart to information about health problems and medications is information about prevention and preventive check-ups. Information regarding preventive check-ups is searched on the internet by 72 (50.70 %) respondents, while 70 (49.30 %) do not search for it, as shown in Graph 7.
Graph 7 Searching for information about preventive check-ups on the internet
Similar findings, as seen in Graph 8, are also evident regarding searching for information about vaccination on the internet. 75 (52.82 %) respondents search for this type of information, while 67 (47.18 %) do not.
Graph 8 Searching for information about vaccination on the internet
An important area in relation to health is the prevention of diseases and/or injuries. It is encouraging that 108 (76.06 %) respondents are interested in this area through searching for information on the internet. However, Graph 9 also shows data on 34 (23.94 %) respondents who do not search for information focused on the prevention of diseases and injuries.
Graph 9 Searching for information about the prevention of diseases and/or injuries on the internet
In the adult population, self-examination is important for detecting primarily oncological diseases. Only just over half of the respondents – 81 (57.04 %) – search for information of this kind on the internet. Sixty-one (42.96 %) respondents do not search for data on, e.g., breast self-examination, testicular self-examination, monitoring of moles, and similar topics on the internet (see Graph 10).
Graph 10 Searching for information about self-examination on the internet
Respondents showed relatively low interest in searching for information about screening examinations (e.g., mammography, fecal occult blood test, prostate examination). A positive answer was given by 63 (44.37 %) respondents. As Graph 11 shows, 79 (55.63 %) respondents do not search for information of this kind on the internet.
Graph 11 Searching for information about screening examinations on the internet
Health is closely related to the regeneration of strength and relaxation, so we also inquired about this area in the context of searching for information on the internet. As Graph 12 shows, information about relaxation, convalescence, and regeneration stays is searched on the internet by 100 (70.42 %) respondents. Conversely, 42 (29.58 %) are not interested in information of this kind.
Graph 12 Searching for information about stays on the internet
Discussion
The computerization of society represents the primary stage of the transition to an information society, in which the basic technological infrastructure is created. Computerization means equipping the population and society with information technologies, acquiring computer literacy, transferring public administration agendas to computer databases, making them accessible via the internet, and using new ICT in all areas of social life, which brings more efficient and faster provision of traditional functions and activities, as well as new activities that are only possible with new technology (Sak et al., 2007). ICT are increasingly affecting many areas of human life, a person's mental and physical health, and their habits. Through our survey, we investigated the extent of ICT use for searching health information on the internet among the adult population.
To map the extent of ICT use in the adult population, we investigated which ICT devices are used most frequently by respondents. The largest share belongs to mobile phones (smartphones, iPhones), used by 140 (98.59 %) respondents, and notebooks, used by 111 (78.17 %) respondents. De Wet et al. (2016) state that the world has changed significantly in recent decades, with most of these changes being driven by the infiltration of technology into society. People use ICT not only in connection with their jobs, but also in everyday household chores. Currently, there exists a 24/7 work culture, primarily thanks to the connectivity provided by ICT. Based on our results as well, it is evident that the adult population possesses digital or computer literacy, which represents the acquisition of basic skills in working with computers and their various applications (Kolář et al., 2012). Velšic (2020), in a report on digital literacy in Slovakia from 2020, states that the share of digitally literate individuals—those who have at least elementary experience with operating computers, notebooks, tablets, or smartphones—increased by 4 percentage points compared to 2013, from 79 % to 83 %. The most significant is the increase in the share of respondents who declare having experience with working on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone and with various types of e-services and communication technologies.
The internet is an increasingly accessible comprehensive source of information for both professionals and laypeople. In the context of secondary prevention, it allows patients to better perceive and understand their health problems. However, it can also play a major role in primary prevention by offering opportunities to influence the health behavior of the population (Bendová, Kaňuch, 2011). According to our results, 108 (76.06 %) respondents search for information regarding the prevention of diseases and/or injuries on the internet. When it comes to searching for information about preventive check-ups, interest is lower – 72 (50.70 %) respondents from our sample search for this type of information. Self-examination as part of prevention is of interest on the internet to 81 (57.04 %) respondents. Sixty-three (44.37 %) respondents gave a positive answer regarding the search for information about screening examinations. According to data from the largest health insurance company in Slovakia – Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa – in 2020, compared to the previous year, there was a 26% decrease in preventive check-ups among general practitioners for adults (Flexihodiny rezervované pre poistencov VšZP, 2021). A survey among general practitioners showed that during the coronavirus pandemic, interest in prevention significantly declined. Conversely, some people argue that they cannot get an appointment for a check-up (Prevencia, 2020). Primary prevention is insufficient and, moreover, is a matter of long-term intervention (lifestyle change). Secondary prevention is unsystematic (Bendová, Kaňuch, 2011).
According to our findings, 75 (52.82 %) respondents search for information on vaccination, which is a relatively low number given the reality of the current emergency situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes vaccination against this disease. Conversely, many more respondents obtain information about health problems from the internet, confirmed by 126 (88.73 %) respondents. We observe a similar finding regarding the search for information about medications on the internet. Up to 122 (85.92 %) respondents stated that they search for data of this kind in the virtual space. In our sample of respondents, we can observe a predominance of searching for information on the internet focused on health problems and medications over searching for information about prevention, preventive check-ups, screening examinations, and vaccination, which may evoke tendencies of adults toward self-medication, with which many risks are associated. As Bendová and Kaňuch (2011) state, the volume of information on the internet is constantly increasing, and its quality and validity are becoming problematic. A dangerous consequence may be the patient's own attitude toward diagnosis, treatment, or approach to caring for their own health in the area of prevention.
Respondents also show relatively high interest in information about relaxation, convalescence, or regeneration stays, which again represents an interesting finding in the current time of emergency measures and significant restrictions, and may indicate people's need to use this form of relaxation or regeneration after the exhausting recent months. Searching for this type of information on the internet was confirmed by 100 (70.42 %) respondents.
Conclusion
ICT as a means of obtaining information in the field of health should be the focus of both healthcare professionals and administrators of individual web portals presenting content focused on human health. Alongside efforts to digitalize society and develop people's digital skills, responsibility for the quality of information published on the internet must be prioritized. However, it is not sufficient to only provide scientifically substantiated information, but also to motivate and positively reinforce appropriate health behavior in people and organize educational activities aimed at forming correct habits, attitudes, and applying procedures to modify people's lifestyle so that correct behavioral patterns and optimal quality of life are supported (KP Neeraja, 2011). It is important to highlight this area and draw attention to the interdependence between ICT use and the health of the adult population. All categories of healthcare workers have a significant role in this, especially through the implementation of health education.
Author: PhDr. Mgr. Mariana Magerčiaková, PhD., MPH, MBA Catholic University in Ružomberok, Faculty of Health, Department of Nursing
List of References
BENDOVÁ, J., KAŇUCH, J. 2011. Všeobecné preventívne a vyhľadávacie postupy pri nádorových ochoreniach v primárnej starostlivosti. Odporučený diagnostický postup pre všeobecných praktických lekárov. [online]. Bratislava: Slovenská lekárska spoločnosť, Spoločnosť všeobecného praktického lekárstva, Slovenská onkologická spoločnosť, Liga proti rakovine. cit. 2021-03-20. Available at: https://ssvpl.sk/wp-content/ uploads/ 2019/08/Onkoprevencia-2011.pdf.
BRITVÍK, M. 2003. Hardvér, Microsoft Windows 98, Internet, Microsoft World 2000, Microsoft Excel 2000. Dolný Kubín: PROFEKO, 2003, 150 p. ISBN 80-967815-3-7.
DE WET, W., KOEKEMOER, E., NEL, J. A. 2016. Exploring the impact of information and communication technology on employees' work and personal lives. In: SA Journal of Industrial Psychology [online]. 42(1), a1330. cit. 2021-03-20. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v42i1.1330.
Flexihodiny rezervované pre poistencov VšZP. [online]. Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa, 11.3.2021. cit. 2021-04-04. Available at: http://www.vszp.sk/novinky/flexihodiny -rezervovane-poistencov-vszp.html.
HEGYI, L., OCHABA, R. 2013. Výchova k zdraviu a podpora zdravia. Bratislava: Herba, 2013, 96 p. ISBN 978-80-89631-14-8.
KOLÁŘ, Z., RAUDENSKÁ, V., RYMEŠOVÁ, J., ŠIKULOVÁ, R., VALIŠOVÁ, A. 2012. Výkladový slovník z pedagogiky. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2012, 192 p. ISBN 978-80-247-3710-2.
MEŠKO, D. a kol. 2005. Medinfo 1. Martin: Osveta, 2005, 152 s. ISBN 80-8063-197-2.
NEERAJA, KP. 2011. Textbook of Communication and Education Technology for Nurses. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, 2011, 723 p. ISBN 978-93-5025-350-2.
SAK, P., MAREŠ, J., NOVÁ, H., RICHTER, V., SAKOVÁ, K., SKALKOVÁ, J. 2007. Člověk a vzdělání v informační společnosti. Vzdělávaní a život v komputerizovaném světě. Praha: Portál, 2007, 296 s. ISBN 978-80-7367-230-0.
VELŠIC, M. 2020. Digitálna gramotnosť na Slovensku 2020. [online]. Bratislava: Inštitút pre verejné otázky, 2020, 17 s. ISBN 978–80–89345–81-6. [cit. 2021-03-20]. Available at: https://www.ivo.sk/8652/sk/aktuality/digitalna-gramotnost-na-slovensku-2020.