Differences in Confidence Levels in Eight Sources of Information between Rural and Urban Cancer Patients and Survivors
Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Objectives. Understanding health information seeking behavior is critical in providing effective interventions and improving quality of life for patients, especially for those facing complex health needs. The purpose of this study is to understand rural-urban differences in levels of trust for various sources of information, and how their trust in different sources may differ by cancer status. Methods. The data was obtained from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey® (HINTS). 5775 responses were included of which 758 were from rural areas and 5017 from urban. Respondents answered questions about their trust in 8 various sources of information on a scale of 1-4. Using the component analysis, eight information sources were regrouped according to the relevance: structured (doctor, government, scientist, and charity), non-structured (family and religion), and semi-structured (social media and health system). Respondent ‘s cancer status was classified into three levels: no cancer, having cancer for 6 and more years (long time ago), and having cancer within 5 years (recent time). Weighted linear regression models were constructed to examine the trust level by cancer status while adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic status. Results. Both rural and urban people with most recent cancer diagnosis (0-5 years) reported the highest level of trust in their doctor (mean=3.62) and the lowest level of trust in social media (mean=1.6). Urban respondents with most recent cancer (0-5 years) reported higher trust in “more structured sources of information “ (p=0.005) whereas rural counterparts reported higher trust in “less structured sources of information (p=0.012). “ After adjusting for all covariates, urban respondents with most recent cancer are more likely to trust in doctor and urban respondents who have survived for more than 6 years are less likely to trust family and religion (p<0.05). Meanwhile, rural respondents with recent cancer are less likely to trust charity and scientist (p<0.05) than rural respondents without cancer. The trust level was not statistically significant in social media by cancer status. Conclusions. Newly diagnosed cancer patients in rural areas are less likely to rely on structured sources of information, even after adjusting for all covariates. Additional studies about misinformation and disinformation in less structured sources are needed to prevent any delay in care among rural cancer patients and survivors.
Authors: Wei-Chen Lee, Emily Kim, Elizabeth Nemirovski, Sagar Kamprath, Meredith Masel, Darpan Patel
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4404809056