Factors Associated with Korean American Women's Health-Related Internet Use: Findings from Andersen's Behavioral Model

Literature suggests that access to health information improves health outcomes in various medical domains. This study investigated health-related Internet use levels and examined which factors influence health-related Internet use in Korean American women, grounded by Andersen's Behavioral Model. Participants included 243 Korean American women aged 19-85 years old residing in a Southeastern metropolitan area. Health-related Internet use was assessed by 11 items taken from HINTS 4 Cycle 2. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to reveal factors significantly associated with health-related Internet use of Korean American women. Predisposing factors of being aged 60 or older (beta = - 0.329, SE = 0.694, p = 0.004) and employment status (beta = 0.179, SE = 0.404, p = 0.037), as well as an enabling factor of having a primary care physician (beta = 0.217, SE = 0.423, p = 0.013), were significantly associated with health-related Internet use. The differences in health-related Internet use may exacerbate disparities in access to healthcare services. The primary care physician's role is important in enhancing health-related Internet use. Research, policy, and programmatic attention are necessary to enhance physicians' encouragement and education for patients to use existing digital technology to improve their health and wellness.