Digital engagement and online health information seeking behaviour among older adults: findings from Türkiye

Abstract

With advances in information technology and the widespread availability of online health resources, access to digital health information has become increasingly common. In this context, the ability of older adults to effectively access, evaluate, and use online health information has emerged as a critically important competence. Since the internet provides easy and often low-cost access to a wide range of information, older adults are increasingly using the internet for health-related purposes. This study aimed to examine the demographic, economic, and personal factors associated with online health information seeking behaviour among older adults in Türkiye. This study used the microdata from the Household Information Technology (IT) Usage Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) in 2023 and 2024. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Compared with older adults surveyed in 2023, those surveyed in 2024 had lower odds of online health information seeking behaviour (AOR = 0.760; 95% CI = 0.644–0.898), and men had lower odds of engaging in this behaviour than women (AOR = 0.620; 95% CI = 0.516–0.745). Higher educational attainment, particularly university education (AOR = 4.002; 95% CI = 2.405–6.660), searching for product and service information (AOR = 4.546; 95% CI = 3.783–5.462), social media use (AOR = 1.994; 95% CI = 1.646–2.415), and internet banking use (AOR = 1.649; 95% CI = 1.352–2.011) were associated with greater odds of online health information seeking behaviour. The findings may help health information providers and healthcare professionals better understand the online health information seeking behaviour of older adults and inform the development of digital health strategies tailored to their needs.