JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

After a prostate cancer diagnosis, men want information about their disease and treatment options. The Internet offers a convenient means to deliver health information to prostate cancer patients. However, there are concerns about the use of the Internet among this largely senior population.

Objective:

To determine the patterns and factors associated with the use of the Internet as a source of health information among Canadian men with prostate cancer and the information and features wanted in a website.

Methods:

Population surveys were conducted in four Canadian provinces in 2014-15. Data analyses included descriptive, bivariable and multivariable analyses. Pearson’s chi square and univariable regression were used to examine associations between independent variables and health-related Internet use. Factors associated with health-related Internet use were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

1362 patients responded across provinces. Mean age of respondents was 69 years (SD=8.2). 82% (n=1071) were Internet users and 71% (n=910) used the Internet daily. 65% (n=784) used the Internet as a source of prostate cancer information, and 40% (n=521) were confident using Internet information to make health decisions. Men who used the Internet for prostate cancer information were more likely to be active information seekers (OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.6-8.3), to be confident using information from the Internet to make health decisions (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.3-5.6), to have broadband Internet (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7), and to have more unmet supportive care needs (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.0-1.1). Top features wanted in a website, reported by more than 50% of respondents were: a library (n=893;63%), tools to support treatment decision making (n=815;58%) and tools to help navigate the prostate cancer journey (n=698; 50%). Top three topics of information wanted in such a website were: treatment options (n=916; 65%), disease progression (n=904; 64%) and how to manage side effects (n=858; 61%)

Conclusions:

Over two-thirds of Canadian prostate cancer patients surveyed use the Internet as a source of health information about prostate cancer, but over half did not feel confident in using information from the Internet to make health decisions. Being an active information seeker, having confidence in using information from the Internet to make health decisions, having broadband Internet, and having more unmet supportive care needs were significantly associated with health-related Internet use. Future work should examine eHealth literacy interventions as a means to boost men’s confidence in using information from the Internet, and design websites that include information and features that help men navigate the prostate cancer journey and support treatment decision making and management of side effects.