Health information seeking behavior among rural and urban Peruvians: variations in information resource access and preferences

Abstract

Objective: The study was designed to determine health information seeking behavior of urban and rural Peruvians, primarily as a means to assess differences across these two populations in relation to both access and levels of use of communication technologies for obtaining health information. Method: The method consisted in the use of a survey conducted in four different areas of Peru during the period November 2006 through January 2007. Results: Health professionals serve as a key source of health information for urban and rural Peruvians; however, there are apparent differences in the ways urban and rural Peruvians obtain information about health related issues, at least in terms of telecommunication mediums. Conclusions: Urban Peruvians are more likely to take advantage of the Internet as a means of acquiring health information. Meanwhile, rural Peruvians still largely prefer radio as a source of health information.