Prevalence and correlates of health information-seeking among Hispanic and non-Hispanic childhood cancer survivors.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) report high unmet information needs. This study examined the prevalence of cancer-related information-seeking among CCS and investigated associations between information-seeking behavior and positive health outcomes such as follow-up care.

METHODS:

Participants (n = 193) were young adult CCS diagnosed with cancer in Los Angeles County, 54% of Hispanic ethnicity, with a mean age of 19.87, in remission, and at least 2 years from completion of treatment. CCS were asked where they accessed health information related to their cancer with response options categorized into four information domains: hospital resources, social media, other survivors, and family members. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess variables associated with each information domain, including sociodemographics, post-traumatic growth (i.e., reporting positive changes since cancer diagnosis), health care engagement, level of education, and health insurance status.

RESULTS:

Hospital resources were the most commonly accessed information domain (65.3%), and CCS of Hispanic ethnicity (vs. non-Hispanic) were more likely to access this source. Seeking information from other cancer survivors was positively associated with follow-up care and post-traumatic growth. Hispanic CCS were marginally less likely to seek information from other survivors and family than non-Hispanics.

CONCLUSIONS:

While CCS obtain information from a variety of sources, hospital resources are an important site for access, particularly for individuals of Hispanic ethnicity. Information sharing between survivors may promote positive health care engagement; however, Hispanic CCS may be less likely to utilize this resource and may face barriers in information sharing with other cancer survivors.

• Authors: Kimberly A Miller, Cynthia N Ramirez, Katherine Y Wojcik, Anamara Ritt-Olson, Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Stefanie M Thomas, David R Freyer, Ann S Hamilton, Joel E Milam
• Journal: Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (Support Care Cancer) Vol. 26 Issue 4 Pg. 1305-1313 (Apr 2018) ISSN: 1433-7339 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 29124416 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cancer Survivors (education, psychology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Hispanic or Latino (psychology)
• Humans
• Information Dissemination
• Information Seeking Behavior
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Neoplasms (ethnology, psychology)
• Prevalence
• Young Adult