Online health information seeking, healthcare utilization, and exercise-related self-management among patients with long-term conditions in China during COVID-19

Objective This study explored the associations between online health information seeking (OHIS), healthcare utilization, and exercise-related self-management behaviors among adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on individuals with long-term conditions (LTCs). It was guided by the biopsychosocial model and the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model. Methods A cross-sectional analysis used observational data from 1,831 respondents in the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS). OHIS was defined as the frequency of using the internet to obtain health or medical information in the past 12 months. Healthcare utilization was measured by the frequency of medical visits, including both traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Exercise-related self-management was represented by regular physical exercise. Multinomial logistic regression was applied while controlling for demographic, psychosocial, and health-related factors. Results OHIS adopters reported on average more frequent medical visits and higher levels of physical exercise than non-adopters. Meanwhile, among individuals with LTCs, OHIS is associated with less frequent medical visits but a higher likelihood of physical exercise, suggesting a potential pathway linking OHIS to exercise-related self-management behavior. Conclusion OHIS was positively associated with healthcare utilization and exercise-related self-management behaviors during a period of restricted healthcare access in China. These findings suggest that accessible and reliable online health information may complement patients’ exercise-related self-management capacities in developing countries, offering insights for integrating digital health strategies into primary care and LTCs management.