OBJECTIVES Little attention has been paid to levels of trust in online sources of health information. The objective of this study was to investigate levels of trust in various sources of health information (interpersonal channels, traditional media, and Internet media), and to examine the predictors of trust in health information available on the Internet.
METHODS
A questionnaire was administered to 1,300 people (20 years of age or older), evaluating levels of trust in various sources of health information.
RESULTS
The highest level of trust was expressed regarding interpersonal channels, with hospital physicians regarded as the most trusted source of information age and income showed an association with trust in online information sources. Elderly people were not likely to trust Internet news sources, and high incomes were found to be strongly associated with trust in online sources of information overall.
CONCLUSIONS
Public health organizations must consider the predictors for trust in various sources of information in order to employ appropriate media when targeting vulnerable individuals or developing messaging strategies for health professionals.
Summary
Korean summary
본 연구는 인터넷 환경이 보편화 되고 대중이 접할 수 있는 다양한 매체가 생겨나면서 접하게 되는 건강정보의 양이 급격하게 증가함에 따라 대인, 전통미디어, 그리고 인터넷에서 제공하는 다양한 정보원의 건강정보 신뢰도를 비교하였다. 더불어 인터넷 건강정보의 다양한 속성을 가진 정보원 신뢰에 영향을 미치는 예측요인을 파악함으로써 궁극적으로 보건의료 공공기관들의 건강정보 신뢰를 제고하기 위한 노력과 다양한 인터넷 정보원의 질적 향상 도모에 기여하고자 하였다.
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