Factors Affecting Online Health-seeking Behaviors in Middle-income Class Filipino Adults

Created on 14th June 2021

Conference: The Asian Undergraduate Research Symposium (AURS2021)
Title: Factors Affecting Online Health-seeking Behaviors in Middle-income Class Filipino Adults
Stream: Psychology and the Behavioral Sciences
Presentation Type: Virtual Poster Presentation
Authors:
Reinzo Vittorio Cardenas, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Heather Venice Abogado, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Andrea Therese Afable, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Rhea Avillanoza, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Marie Abegail Ayagan, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Catherine Bantayan , University of Santo Tomas, philippines

Abstract:

With the increasing accessibility to health information on the Internet, the tendency of individuals to self-diagnose increases to understand medical terminologies and to avoid expensive consultation costs. The study aimed to understand the factors affecting online health-seeking behaviors in middle-income class adults in Metro Manila. Data collection was conducted from March to April of 2021 with a sample size of 200 individuals aged 20 to 49 years old. An online survey was employed using a questionnaire adapted from the research of Lee et al. (2015). The survey consisted of three sections assessing: web-based health-seeking behaviors, consultation with health professionals, and participants' hesitancy in consulting with physicians, which used a mix of a 5-point Likert-type scale with multiple responses and multiple-choice options. The results showed that the age and educational attainment of the respondents had a negative effect while presenting a positive effect for socio-economic status on health-seeking behavior. Lastly, there was a significant effect of participant’s hesitancy for professional consultation on their health-seeking behavior. Although hesitancy had a substantial impact on the spectrum of health-seeking behaviors, it does not imply that certain factors are specifically related to the tendency to seek health information. This information instead becomes essential in understanding the patient-physician relationship and giving more holistic treatments.