The Effects of Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior on Sexually Transmitted Disease in China: Infodemiology Study of the Internet Search Queries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a serious issue worldwide. With the popularity of the internet, online health information-seeking behavior (OHISB) has been widely adopted to improve health and prevent disease.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of different types of OHISBs on STDs, including syphilis, gonorrhea, and AIDS due to HIV, based on the Baidu index.

Methods

Multisource big data were collected, including case numbers of STDs, search queries based on the Baidu index, provincial total population, male-female ratio, the proportion of the population older than 65 years, gross regional domestic product (GRDP), and health institution number data in 2011-2018 in mainland China. We categorized OHISBs into

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10221515 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature