%0 Journal Article
%A Álvarez Gálvez, Javier
%A Salinas Pérez, José A.
%A Montagni, Ilaria
%A Salvador Carulla, Luis
%T The persistence of digital divides in the use of health information: a comparative study in 28 European countries
%D 2020
%@ 1661-8556
%U https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/6145
%X Objectives This study aimed to identify which are the socio-demographic factors that can describe health information users’ profiles in Europe and assess which are the factors distinguishing users and non-users and their association with the use of health-related online information. Methods Data from the Flash Eurobarometer No. 404 (2014) was analysed through a multilevel logistic regression model and a propensity score matching. Results There were significant differences in the use of the Internet for health information according to gender, age, education, long-term illness and health-related knowledge. Thus, some digital divides persisted in the use of health information online. Results showed that a poor health status was associated with a higher use of the Internet for health purposes only for people having chronic conditions.Conclusions Findings show a need to increase people’s eHealth literacy, especially for males over 45 years old not suffering from a long-term illness. In order to limit the misuse of poor or untrustworthy health information that might contribute to higher health disparities, special interest should be focused on population socio-demographic characteristics.
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