Utilization of the internet-based preventative measure for covid-19 information among older people in Fukuroi city Shizuoka prefecture, Japan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore utilization of internet-based preventative measures for COVID-19 information and its association with general characteristics among older people living in Fukuroi City, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. For this study, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 120 people who attended the “Rakusho” class and “Strength Training” class during July 20, 2021- August 16, 2021 descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to analyze data. About 38/120 (31.7%) of older people used the internet-based information and 58.3% (70/120) of older people used Television-based information. In addition, a chi-square test was conducted to examine the relationship between general characteristics and utilization of internet-based preventative measures for COVID-19 information. The results revealed significant relationship between age (p <0.001), education status (p <0.001), marital status (p=0.006), and family members (p=0.017) and utilization of internet-based preventative measures for COVID-19 information also, direct interviews were conducted on preference of utilization of internet-based preventative measures for COVID-19 information. Found that 23.3 % of respondents preferred to utilize internet-based information while 52.5% of them refused to use. The main reasons were the ability to gather information on their own as 27.5% and the difficulty of using the internet as 76.7%. Many of the respondents commented that they felt the benefits of utilizing internet, but also felt that it was difficult. According to those results to share information with the older people, it is necessary not to rely only on the internet, but also to disseminate information comprehensively through communication tools among communities such as public health centers, circular boards, and Fukuroi City's advertisement magazine. To increase utilization of internet-based health information, the Fukuroi health personnel should provide training and a user-friendly interface. IMPLICATION OF THE THEMATIC PAPER: The thematic paper findings revealed that internet-based health information may not be the proper channel to deliver health information to older people. However, to increase utilization of internet-based health information, the Fukuroi health personnel should consider enhancing digital literacy among older people.