[Preferences in the format of questionnaires and use of the Internet by schoolchildren]

To describe the preferences to complete questionnaires via the internet by schoolchildren, as well as to analyze the attitude towards the use of internet to communicate with health professionals.

Cross-sectional study of a school population in Palafolls (Barcelona, n=923) was conducted in October and November 2013. Participants completed both internet and paper versions on a single school day, in random order, and with at least an interval of 2 hours. Preferences to answer internet vs paper version were recorded, along with the willingness to share information with health professionals. Percentages of use preferences and attitudes were estimated, and logistic regression models were fitted to analyze the association with the preferences and willingness to share information with health professionals.

Participation rates were 77% (n=715), of whom 42.4% (38.7 to 46.0) preferred the internet version, and 20.6% (17.6 to 23.6) the paper version. Older children (odds ratio [OR]=0.89, 0.84 to 0.95 for age), and those from families with secondary school (OR=0.63, 0.43 to 0.93), and university degree (OR=0.61, 0.38 to 0.97) were less likely to prefer the internet version, while boys (OR=1.55, 1.10 to 2.16) and those children reporting sedentary habits (OR=1.78, 1.06 to 3.0) were more likely to prefer the internet version. Those scoring higher quality of life (OR=1.03, 1.01-1.05) and not reporting sedentary habits (OR=0.33, 0.15 to 0.73) were factors associated with a positive attitude to share information with health professionals.

Younger children prefer to use the internet. Although Internet use is very widespread, it is less used to communicate with health professionals.