Internet health information seeking by primary care patients.

INTRODUCTION: As patients seek health information more frequently on the internet, the impact on their health status and their relationship with doctors could be a matter of concern. The objective of this study is to know how frequently rural primary care patients seek health information on the internet and the factors associated with it. METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed 850 patients aged over 15 years who attended two rural health centers in Cuenca (Spain). Consecutive case sampling was done. The participants were invited to answer a survey with sociodemographic and clinical aspects, and questions about possible internet searches for health information. The statistical analysis included the description of the variables and a bivariate analysis, and was completed with a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 54 years, interquartile range 39-67 years; 60.9% were female. Of those surveyed, 49.8% (95% confidence interval 46.3-53.2) stated that they used the internet to seek health information. Statistically significant differences were apparent for gender, age, level of education, disease and attendance (p<0.0001). A logistic regression analysis showed an independent relationship with health information seeking on the internet for the variables gender, age, level of education (p<0.0001) and having a chronic disease (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Roughly half the primary care patients in the rural area sought health information on the internet. Females, young people, those with a higher level of education and a chronic disease background did so more frequently.

[Risk of pneumococcal disease in elderly patients with and without previous vaccination]. / Riesgo de enfermedad neumocócica en pacientes ancianos con y sin vacunación previa.

OBJECTIVES: To know the pneumococcal vaccination coverage in patients≥65 years old, as well as the risk of pneumococcal disease according to whether or not they received such vaccination. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, followed by historical cohort. LOCATION: Urban area. PARTICIPANTS: By systematic sampling, 2,805 people≥65 years from the city of Albacete were selected. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Dependent variable: diagnosis of pneumococcal disease and date. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: age, sex, chronic pathologies, medication, pneumococcal vaccination and date. The computerized medical records were reviewed, from 1-1-2009 to October-December 2015. A descriptive analysis was carried out, the relative risk of the onset of pneumococcal disease according to vaccination has been calculated, and survival analysis has been carried out, with the statistical program SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: Median age 71 years; 57.2% were women; 46% received polysaccharide vaccine (95% CI 44.1-47.8). Only 10 people received conjugated vaccine. Twenty-two people were diagnosed with invasive pneumococcal disease and 153 non-invasive. The relative risk of pneumococcal disease in vaccinated versus unvaccinated, respectively for invasive and non-invasive, was 1.59 (95% CI 0.69-3.68) and 1.84 (95% CI 1.33-2.54). Cox regression showed a higher risk of non-invasive disease for COPD (1.95; 95% CI 1.32-2.89), smoking (1.87; 95% CI 1.28-2.73), corticoid-therapy (1.73; 95% CI 1.08-2.79), polysaccharide vaccination (141.41; 95% CI 5.92-3,378.49) and age (1.11; 95% CI 1.08-1.14), with interaction between these 2 (0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased risk of pneumococcal disease in patients≥65 years vaccinated with polysaccharide, although with a protective effect in vaccinated older.

Frequency and characteristics of Internet use by Spanish teenagers. A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Internet has completely changed communication among people in today's world, especially among young users. The objective of this study is to establish the frequency of Internet use by teenagers, and most used apps. POPULATION AND METHODS: This was a crosssectional study. In November 2013, students attending two mandatory secondary schools in Albacete were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire with close-ended and open questions. Questionnaires were completed in the classroom, either "online" or "with pen and paper". Answers were entered in a computer database using the SPSS 17.0 software. Statistical analysis included a comparison of proportions (χ² test) and mean/median values (Student's t test/non-parametric tests). RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty-seven students participated; their mean age was 13.8 years old (range: 11-20); 53.5% were girls. Most students (70.9%) lived in the city. Most belonged to a middle (51.3%) and high (34.8%) socioeconomic status. Also most students went online on a daily basis (73.4%); only 0.9% indicated that they never did. The most frequently used apps included WhatsApp (77.1%), social networks (70.1%) and music apps (66.6%). Among girls, the most common Internet use was social networks (p= 0.004), WhatsApp (p < 0.0001), Instagram (p < 0.0001) and listening to music (p= 0.004). Boys most commonly used the Internet to browse the web (p < 0.0001), Skype (p=0.001), play (p < 0.0001) andwatchmovies or TV shows (p= 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Internet takes up a large part of the time in adolescents' lives, especially as a means of communications, being WhatsApp and social networks the most commonly used apps.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Internet ha transformado la comunicación entre las personas en el mundo actual, especialmente en el caso de los más jóvenes. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la frecuencia de uso de Internet por adolescentes, así como las aplicaciones utilizadas. POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio transversal. En noviembre de 2013, los estudiantes de la escuela secundaria obligatoria de dos institutos de Albacete fueron invitados a responder un cuestionario autoadministrable, con preguntas de respuesta abierta y cerrada. Contestaron en las aulas, "on line" o con "lápiz y papel". Las respuestas fueron introducidas en una base de datos informatizada, con el programa SPSS 17.0. El análisis estadístico ha incluido comparación de proporciones (chi cuadrado) y de medias/medianas (t de Student/pruebas no paramétricas). RESULTADOS: Participaron 967 estudiantes, con media de edad de 13,8 años (rango: 11-20); 53,5% de mujeres. La mayoría (70,9%) vivían en la ciudad. La clase social era mayoritariamente media (51,3%) y alta (34,8%). La mayoría se conectaba a Internet a diario (73,4%); solo 0,9% decía no conectarse nunca. Las aplicaciones más utilizadas eran WhatsApp (77,1%), redes sociales (70,1%) y relacionadas con música (66,6%). Se ha encontrado una mayor frecuencia de utilización por las mujeres de redes sociales (p= 0,004), WhatsApp (p <0,0001), Instagram (p <0,0001) y escuchar música (p= 0,004). Los varones navegaban más (p <0,0001), utilizaban Skype (p= 0,001), jugaban (p <0,0001) y veían películas o series (p= 0,035). CONCLUSIONES: Internet ocupa una gran parte del tiempo de los adolescentes, especialmente como medio de comunicación, y WhatsApp y las redes sociales son las aplicaciones que utilizan con más frecuencia.

Frecuencia y características de uso de Internet por adolescentes espanoles: Un estudio transversal / Frequency and characteristics of Internet use by Spanish teenagers: A cross-sectional study

Introducción: Internet ha transformado la comunicación entre las personas en el mundo actual, especialmente en el caso de los más jóvenes. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la frecuencia de uso de Internet por adolescentes, así como las aplicaciones utilizadas. Población y métodos: Se trata de un estudio transversal. En noviembre de 2013, los estudiantes de la escuela secundaria obligatoria de dos institutos de Albacete fueron invitados a responder un cuestionario autoadministrable, con preguntas de respuesta abierta y cerrada. Contestaron en las aulas, "on line" o con "lápiz y papel". Las respuestas fueron introducidas en una base de datos informatizada, con el programa SPSS 17.0. El análisis estadístico ha incluido comparación de proporciones (chi cuadrado) y de medias/medianas (t de Student/pruebas no paramétricas). Resultados: Participaron 967 estudiantes, con media de edad de 13,8 años (rango: 11-20); 53,5% de mujeres. La mayoría (70,9%) vivían en la ciudad. La clase social era mayoritariamente media (51,3%) y alta (34,8%). La mayoría se conectaba a Internet a diario (73,4%); solo 0,9% decía no conectarse nunca. Las aplicaciones más utilizadas eran WhatsApp (77,1%), redes sociales (70,1%) y relacionadas con música (66,6%). Se ha encontrado una mayor frecuencia de utilización por las mujeres de redes sociales (p= 0,004), WhatsApp (p <0,0001), Instagram (p <0,0001) y escuchar música (p= 0,004). Los varones navegaban más (p <0,0001), utilizaban Skype (p= 0,001), jugaban (p <0,0001) y veían películas o series (p= 0,035). Conclusiones: Internet ocupa una gran parte del tiempo de los adolescentes, especialmente como medio de comunicación, y WhatsApp y las redes sociales son las aplicaciones que utilizan con más frecuencia.

Introduction. Internet has completely changed communication among people in today's world, especially among young users. The objective of this study is to establish the frequency of Internet use by teenagers, and most used apps. Population and methods. This was a crosssectional study. In November 2013, students attending two mandatory secondary schools in Albacete were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire with close-ended and open questions. Questionnaires were completed in the classroom, either "online" or "with pen and paper". Answers were entered in a computer database using the SPSS 17.0 software. Statistical analysis included a comparison of proportions (χ2 test) and mean/median values (Student's t test/non-parametric tests). Results. Nine hundred and sixty-seven students participated; their mean age was 13.8 years old (range: 11-20); 53.5% were girls. Most students (70.9%) lived in the city. Most belonged to a middle (51.3%) and high (34.8%) socioeconomic status. Also most students went online on a daily basis (73.4%); only 0.9% indicated that they never did. The most frequently used apps included WhatsApp (77.1%), social networks (70.1%) and music apps (66.6%). Among girls, the most common Internet use was social networks (p= 0.004), WhatsApp (p < 0.0001), Instagram (p < 0.0001) and listening to music (p= 0.004). Boys most commonly used the Internet to browse the web (p < 0.0001), Skype (p=0.001), play (p < 0.0001) andwatchmovies or TV shows (p= 0.035). Conclusions. Internet takes up a large part of the time in adolescents' lives, especially as a means of communications, being WhatsApp and social networks the most commonly used apps.