Patterns of trust in sources of health information

Rob Lawson*, Sarah Forbes, John Williams

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aims: To understand the different patterns of trust that exist regarding different sources of information about health issues. Method: Data from a large national health lifestyles survey of New Zealanders was examined using a factor analysis of trust toward 24 health information sources (HIS). Differences in trust are compared across a range of demographic variables. Results: Factor analysis identified six different groupings of health information. Variations in trust in sources for health information are identified by age, employment status, level of education, income, sex and ethnic group. Conclusions: Systematic variations exist in the trust that people report with respect to different sources of health information. Understanding these variations may assist policymakers and other agencies which are responsible for planning the dissemination of health information.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)98-105
Number of pages8
JournalNew Zealand Medical Journal
Volume124
Issue number1328
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jan 2011

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