USAGE OF INTERNET FOR HEALTH INFORMATION SEEKING AMONG ELDERLY IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Introduction: The Internet is rapidly growing and becoming an easier to access to technology. It functions as important part of almost everyone’s daily life including elderly. Objective: The study was aimed to investigate the patterns of internet usage among elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 23 Elderly Activity Centre throughout Malaysia from August 2017 to October 2017. This centre is a place for senior citizens to conduct routinely/daily activities in the community. It is an oriented service especially for senior citizens. Results: A total of 1400 individuals were sampled in this study, unfortunately the elderly turned up only 799 (57.1%) which aged 60 and above. A self-administered with minimal guidance and face to face interview by trained research assistants were used in this study. The study showed of the total 799 respondents, only 258 (33.0%) who use the internet. Those using the Internet are 89 (30.2%) male and 169 (69.8%) female, respectively. Most of them are government retirees (47.7%). The study found that the reasons of the elderly seeking health information through the internet because it was free (66.3%) as well as easy and fast (56.2%). The study also found that the type of health information sought is information on certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and others (20.9%). With regards to the places of internet access, about 86.8% of the respondents having the internet access at home, followed by internet service provider 42.6% and by Elderly Activity Centre, itself 14.7%. Only 3.5% and 5.8% of respondents access internet at Cyber Cafe and friend’s house respectively. The highest showed that respondents access internet several times in a month 25.5% followed by everyday 22.5% and twice or thrice in a week 17.4%. Overall, 53.5% of elderly claimed internet can be a very helpful resource for finding health information. Discussion: Elderly in Malaysia are becoming more tech-savvy. This change is advantage as it can be used to address and manage health issues and geriatrics care for elderly through strategic dissemination of health information as well as to motivate positive health behaviour through use of technology. KEYWORDS: Elderly, Internet Use, Health Information Seeking.