Evaluation of internet use for health information by parents of asthmatic children attending pediatric clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Internet use by patients raises awareness about their conditions, while its use by physicians assists their ability to make evidence-based decisions. This study aimed at assessing the extent, sources and effects of Internet use by parents of asthmatic children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional design to collect data from two pediatric pulmonology clinics (public, private) for asthma management in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period of January to May 2011. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A specially designed tool was used to collect data from a random sample of 500 parents of asthmatic children. This tool included questions on demographic data (parents, child) and internet use (sources, frequency, purposes). RESULTS: Most children (77%) in our study sample were diagnosed with asthma before their third birthday, by a treating physician (78%). Among Internet user parents (n=400), 53% used it for 10 to <30 minutes or <10 minutes (22%). Reported reasons for internet use were reassurance, clarification, online consulting, and new management schemes. Reported limitations for Internet use for managing asthma included the nonavailability of Arabic information and highly technical information. Parents suggested the need for the availability of the following online services: consulting/chatting with treating physician, receiving updates on asthma, booking appointments, and being directed to specific websites on asthma. Multivariate analysis showed that the most important predictors for internet use were: “higher mother education” (OR=7.02), followed by “higher father education” (OR=3.04) and “non-health related mother occupation” (OR=2.6). CONCLUSION: The application of the findings of this study may assist clinicians in the patient-centered shared management of asthmatic children.