Health Related Internet Search and Its Influence on the Behaviors of Those Seeking Professional Health Care: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To investigate health-related internet search and its influence on the behaviors of those seeking Professional Health care.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Abbottabad, Pakistan, over a period of six months, from January 2024 to July 2024.
Methods: A total of 356 participants were recruited through convenience non-probability sampling. Inpatients aged 18–50 years were included, while those with psychiatric or chronic medical/surgical illnesses were excluded. Data were collected using a structured, pre-adapted questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations were examined using Chi-Square tests with odds ratios (95% CI). A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 356 participants, 46.1% reported performing health-related internet searches. Psychological reactions varied, with 34.6% experiencing, reassurance, or support and 37.6% reporting fear or anxiety. Anxiety (OR = 3.14) and reassurance (OR = 15.78) were substantially more common among internet searchers, suggesting a dual psychological influence. Searchers frequently had positive behavioral objectives, such as changing their smoking or substance usage (50.6%), increasing their physical activity (81.1%), and improving their nutrition (77.4%). They showed more involvement with healthcare services by asking doctors more questions (OR = 1.76) and requesting referrals or extra investigations (OR = 8.11) than non-searchers. Self-medication (51.1%) and stopping scheduled tests or drugs (57.3%) were two potentially dangerous practices that were also noted. In general, both positive and negative behavioral reactions were linked to online searches.
Conclusion: Online health information searching can have a twofold effect: promoting positive lifestyle intentions and augmenting concern and unsafe self-management. Increased digital health literacy can help maximize the benefits and mitigate risks.

How to cite this: Bajwa AA, Iqbal H, Tahir J, Rehman R, Asif A. Health Related Internet Search and Its Influence on the Behaviors of Those
Seeking Professional Health Care: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan. Life and Science. 2026; 7(3):
395-403. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.1109