Using the Internet to access health-related information: results from a nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary school students
-
Jennifer Utter
, Mathijs Lucassen
, Simon Denny , Terry Fleming , Roshini Peiris-John und Terryann Clark
Abstract
Objective
To determine if secondary school students in New Zealand who report greater health concerns (e.g. significant depressive symptoms) are more likely to use the Internet to access health-related information.
Methods
A nationally representative health and wellbeing survey was undertaken in 2012 (n = 8500). Multiple regression models were used to examine the associations between students’ use of the Internet to access health-related information and selected outcomes or indicators.
Results
Over 90% of students used the Internet on a daily basis, with 15.4% of students reporting that they had used the Internet to access health-related information. Students experiencing household poverty were more likely to report not using the Internet daily (17.4% compared to 4.2%). Odds ratios (ORs) for accessing the Internet for this sort of information were highest for students who reported self-harm [OR 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3–3.3], disordered eating (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.4–3.2), or a suicide attempt (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.9–3.3).
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that Internet-based health interventions may be a viable way to reach young people with high health needs, but consideration needs to be given to those with limited Internet access.
Acknowledgments
Funding for the Youth’12 study was provided by a consortium of eight government agencies: the Ministry of Youth Development, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Labour, the Health Promotion Agency, and the Families Commission.
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©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
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- Using the Internet to access health-related information: results from a nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary school students
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Original Articles
- Associations between body weight status, psychological well-being and disordered eating with intuitive eating among Malaysian undergraduate university students
- Using the Internet to access health-related information: results from a nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary school students
- Differences and similarities in medicine use, perceptions and sharing among adolescents in two different educational settings
- Disparities in obesity prevalence and obesity-related behaviors among adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago
- Decreasing screen time and/or increasing exercise only helps in certain situations for young adults
- Assessment of anxiety in adolescents involved in a study abroad program: a prospective study
- Assessment of health literacy with the Newest Vital Sign and its correlation with body mass index in female adolescent students
- Causative factors for sexual and reproductive health status of pregnant adolescent girls in urban communities of Lagos, Nigeria
- A comparison of positive youth development against depression and suicidal ideation in youth from Hong Kong and the Netherlands
- Using theory of planned behavior for prediction of delivery mode among pregnant women: a theory-based cross-sectional research
- Relationships between metabolic profile, hypertension and uric acid with cardiometabolic risk in adolescents with abdominal obesity: impact of geodemographic factors on the prevalence of abdominal obesity
- Increased risk of sadness and suicidality among victims of bullying experiencing additional threats to physical safety
- Association between sleep quality and quality of life among students: a cross sectional study
- Menstrual irregularity and use of oral contraceptives in female adolescent athletes in Swedish National Sports High Schools
- Exploration of brushing behavior among university students in Iran: a qualitative research
- Vigorous physical activity, perceived stress, sleep and mental health among university students from 23 low- and middle-income countries
- Cross-sectional comparison of age-related changes in the quadriceps femoris in Japanese basketball players
- Knowledge, attitude and practice towards eating and physical activity among primary school children in Brunei: a cross-sectional study