Protocol - Internet Access

Personnel and Training Required

None

Equipment Needs

None

Requirements

Requirement Category	Required
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

Standard	Name	ID	Source

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 ID	Variable Description	dbGaP 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