Internet Use Among Urogynecology Patients in North Carolina

Given limited information regarding digital technology use among patients, we sought to evaluate Internet use among younger (<65 years) as compared to older (≥65 years) women and to assess factors associated with Internet use.

We administered an anonymous questionnaire on digital technology use to English-speaking women who presented to our Urogynecology practice during a 1-month period. The questionnaire assessed the following sociodemographics: age, race, education, income, and insurance status. For our primary outcome, we assessed Internet use among younger versus older women. We also conducted a logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association of age with Internet use, while adjusting for potential confounders.

A total of 556 women presented during the study period. Among these women, 506 completed the survey, for a 91% response rate. There were 282 (55.7%) younger women and 222 (43.9%) older women. Most of the younger and older cohorts were white (77% vs 86.5%, P = 0.02). Younger women were more educated (79.8% vs 59.5% ≥ college education; P < 0.0001) and had a higher income (58.3% vs 39.8% ≥ $50,000; P < 0.0001). For our primary outcome, younger women were significantly more likely to use the Internet (93.8% vs 66.3%, P < 0.001). In a logistic regression model which adjusted for age, race, education, and income, younger women remained significantly more likely to use the Internet (odds ratio, 6.6; 95% CI, 3.4-13.0).

Although women younger than 65 years reported greater Internet use when compared to women 65 years or older, most of older women also used the Internet.