Type of information source and healthcare avoidance: insights from two population-based studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic generated major disruptions in primary and specialist care, and there were global trends of reduced healthcare-seeking behaviour. Previous studies showed that use of information sources is linked to psychological well-being and compliance with public health measures. It is unclear if the type of information source is also associated with healthcare avoidance.

Methods

Between April and October 2020, we sent a questionnaire to participants of two population-based cohort studies including middle-aged and older adults from Rotterdam, the Netherlands: the Rotterdam Study (N = 8,732, response rate 71.5%) and the Generation R Study (N = 4,904, response rate 22.7%). We defined healthcare avoidance as not seeking care despite experiencing symptoms tha

SUBMITTER: Splinter MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12911133 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature