Dataset Information

Use of Information and Communication Technologies Among Older People With and Without Frailty: A Population-Based Survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Use of information and communication technologies (ICT) among seniors is increasing; however, studies on the use of ICT by seniors at the highest risk of health impairment are lacking. Frail and prefrail seniors are a group that would likely benefit from preventive nutrition and exercise interventions, both of which can take advantage of ICT.

Objective

The objective of the study was to quantify the differences in ICT use, attitudes, and reasons for nonuse among physically frail, prefrail, and nonfrail home-dwelling seniors.

Methods

This was a population-based questionnaire study on people aged 65-98 years living in Northern Finland. A total of 794 eligible individuals responded out of a contacted random sample of 1500.

Results

In this study, 29.8% (237/794) of the respondents were classified as frail or prefrail. The ICT use of frail persons was lower than that of the nonfrail ones. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, age and education level were associated with both the use of Internet and advanced mobile ICT such as smartphones or tablets. Controlling for age and education, frailty or prefrailty was independently related to the nonuse of advanced mobile ICT (odds ratio, OR=0.61, P=.01), and frailty with use of the Internet (OR=0.45, P=.03). The frail or prefrail ICT nonusers also held the most negative opinions on the usefulness or usability of mobile ICT. When opinion variables were included in the model, frailty status remained a significant predictor of ICT use.

Conclusions

Physical frailty status is associated with older peoples' ICT use independent of age, education, and opinions on ICT use. This should be taken into consideration when designing preventive and assistive technologies and interventions for older people at risk of health impairment.

SUBMITTER: Keranen NS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5331186 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Use of Information and Communication Technologies Among Older People With and Without Frailty: A Population-Based Survey.

Keränen Niina Susanna NS Kangas Maarit M Immonen Milla M Similä Heidi H Enwald Heidi H Korpelainen Raija R Jämsä Timo T

Journal of medical Internet research 20170214 2

<h4>Background</h4>Use of information and communication technologies (ICT) among seniors is increasing; however, studies on the use of ICT by seniors at the highest risk of health impairment are lacking. Frail and prefrail seniors are a group that would likely benefit from preventive nutrition and exercise interventions, both of which can take advantage of ICT.<h4>Objective</h4>The objective of the study was to quantify the differences in ICT use, attitudes, and reasons for nonuse among physical ...[more]

PMID: 28196791

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Dataset Information

Use of Information and Communication Technologies Among Older People With and Without Frailty: A Population-Based Survey.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Use of Information and Communication Technologies Among Older People With and Without Frailty: A Population-Based Survey.

Similar Datasets

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