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Protocol - Internet Access

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Description

This protocol includes four self- administered questions from the HINTS 5, Cycle 4 – Section B: Using the Internet to Find Information. This section focuses on how an individual accesses the internet, quality of their internet access, and how they use their internet access to interface with health care.

Specific Instructions

None

Availability

Available

Protocol

1. Do you ever go on-line to access the Internet or World Wide Web, or to send and receive e-mail?

  • [ ] Yes → GO TO 2
  • [ ] No → END HERE

2. When you use the Internet, do you access it through…

YesNo
a.A regular dial-up telephone line…………………….

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[ ]

b.Broadband such as DSL, cable, or FiOS………….

[ ]

[ ]

c.A cellular network (i.e., phone, 3G/4G)…………….

[ ]

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d.A wireless network (Wi-Fi)…………………………..

[ ]

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3.    How often do you access the Internet through each of the following?

DailySometimesNeverNot Applicable
a.Computer at home...…..…………………….

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b.Computer at work…...…………...………….

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

c.Computer in a public place (library, community center, other)……….

[ ]

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d.On a mobile device (cell phone/smart phone/tablet)….……………..

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4. To what extent are you satisfied with your internet speed?

  • [ ] Not at all satisfied
  • [ ] Not very satisfied
  • [ ] Somewhat satisfied
  • [ ] Very satisfied
  • [ ] Extremely satisfied

Scoring and Interpretation

Refer to the “HINTS 5, Cycle 4 (2020) Methodology Report” for details on methodology, sampling, and procedures for Cycle 4, sections 4 and 5: https://hints.cancer.gov/data/methodology-reports.aspx

Personnel and Training Required

None

Equipment Needs

None

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Self-administered questionnaire

Lifestage

Adult

Participants

Adult

Selection Rationale

HINTS is a nationally representative survey that has been administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 2003. It is administered via single-mode mail survey and is comprehensive in its coverage of topics regarding knowledge of, attitudes toward, and use of cancer- and health-related information by the American public. The data are publicly available.

Language

English, Spanish

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

Not Applicable

Protocol Name from Source

Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)

Source

National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Health Information National Trends Survey 5, Cycle 4, Annotated Form, Full-content, English version. Section B: Using the Internet to Find Information, Items B1-B4.

General References

Greenberg-Worisek, A. J., Kurani, S., Finney Rutten, L. J., Blake, K. D., Moser, R. P., & Hesse, B. W. (2019). Tracking healthy people 2020 internet, broadband, and mobile device access goals: an update using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Journal of medical Internet research, 21(6), e13300. https://doi.org/10.2196/13300

Kim, H., Mahmood, A., Goldsmith, J. V., Chang, H., Kedia, S., & Chang, C. F. (2021). Access to broadband internet and its utilization for health information seeking and health communication among informal caregivers in the United States. Journal of Medical Systems, 45(2), 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-021-01708-9 

Nelson, D. E., Kreps, G. L., Hesse, B. W., Croyle, R. T., Willis, G., Arora, N. K., Rimer, B. K., Viswanath, K. V., Weinstein, N., & Alden, S. (2004). The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS): development, design, and dissemination. Journal of Health Communication, 9(5), 443–460. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730490504233

Rains, S. A. (2008). Health at high speed: Broadband Internet access, health communication, and the digital divide. Communication Research, 35(3), 283-297. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650208315958

Protocol ID

281301

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX281301_Internet_Access_Ever_Go_Online
PX281301010000 Do you ever go on-line to access the more
Internet or World Wide Web, or to send and receive e-mail? show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Satisfied_Speed
PX281301040000 To what extent are you satisfied with your more
internet speed? show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Use_Broadband
PX281301020200 When you use the Internet, do you access it more
through... Broadband such as DSL, cable, or FiOS show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Use_Cellular
PX281301020300 When you use the Internet, do you access it more
through... A cellular network (i.e., phone, 3G/4G) show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Use_Dial_Up
PX281301020100 When you use the Internet, do you access it more
through... A regular dial-up telephone line show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Use_Wireless
PX281301020400 When you use the Internet, do you access it more
through... A wireless network (Wi-Fi) show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Via_Computer_Home
PX281301030100 How often do you access the Internet through more
each of the following? Computer at home show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Via_Computer_Public
PX281301030300 How often do you access the Internet through more
each of the following? Computer in a public place (library, community center, other) show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Via_Computer_Work
PX281301030200 How often do you access the Internet through more
each of the following? Computer at work show less
N/A
PX281301_Internet_Access_Via_Mobile_Device
PX281301030400 How often do you access the Internet through more
each of the following? On a mobile device (cell phone/smart phone/tablet) show less
N/A
Individual Social Determinants of Health
Measure Name

Internet Access

Release Date

December 14, 2022

Definition

This is a measure of internet use, quality, and overall broadband access at an individual level. This measure captures how and where an individual uses their internet access to find information, often in a health care context.

Purpose

Internet access is a social determinant of health, as it enables individuals to access information and connect to others. It is essential to accessing health care systems, health care information, education, food requisition, and being part of a community.

Keywords

Internet, Broadband, Access, Health Information National Trends Survey, HINTS, smartphone, tablet, technology, iPhone, android, telephone, cellular, wireless, network, computer, social, National Institutes of Health, NIH, National Cancer Institute, NCI, Access to Health Care, neighborhood built environment

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
281301 Internet Access
Publications

Burnett-Bowie, S. A. M., et al. (2024) The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Task Force on clinical algorithms for fracture risk report. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2024 May; 39(5): 517-530. doi: 10.1093/jbmr/zjae048

Bartholomew, T. S., et al. (2024) Project CHARIOT: study protocol for a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation study of comprehensive tele-harm reduction for engagement of people who inject drugs in HIV prevention services Addiction Science & Clinical Practice. 2024 March; 19(1). doi: 10.1186/s13722-024-00447-9