Websites in Vascular Health: A Tool for Whom? User Characteristics and Motivations

Objective: Limited data is available to describe the characteristics and motivations of users of health websites. Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) proposed three categories of motivation: 1) autonomous motivation: engaging in a behavior because it is perceived to be consistent with intrinsic and meaningful goals, 2) controlled motivation: engaging in a behavior for reward, or trying to avoid feelings of guilt, and 3) amotivation: lack of autonomous and controlled motivation. The aim of this study is to profile users and described the motivations behind using a health website. Design and method: In this multicenter study, participants had to be 18 years and older, concerned by a vascular health condition, and skilled to use digital tools. They were approached by collaborating physicians (n=30) during routine consultations or through social networks. An anonymous, validated electronic questionnaire assessed socio-demographic variables, digital competence, and motivations for using a health website. Results: 137 participants, mean age of 65.25 (± 11.78 years, 52.5% female) were recruited. The most prevalent diagnoses among participants were hypertension (48.70%) and diabetes (31.40%). The group aged 64 and below self-evaluated with better digital competence (8.97 ± 2.76) compared to the 65-74 age group (7.5 ± 2.70) and the 75 years and older group (6.41 ± 3.25) (p < 0.01). The difference between the women's and men's group did not reach statistical significance. Regarding motivation to consult a health website, the group aged 64 and below shows higher autonomous motivation (5.53± 0.16) than the 65-74 age group (5.33 ± 0.11) and the 75 years and older group (5.40 ± 0.38) (p < 0.01). Autonomous motivation was higher in the women's group (5.48 ± 0.13) than in the men's group (5.39 ± 0.32) (p < 0.05). Inversely, controlled motivation (2.94 ± 0.58) and amotivation (3.61 ± 0.33), was higher in men's group than in women's group (2.54 ± 0.55 and 3.30 ± 0.40) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Motivations to use a health website vary according to gender and age. This study may contribute to a more tailored to users and guide the development and dissemination of health websites.