The Influence of the Web on Health Related Decision-making Processes: A Survey with Portuguese Women During Pregnancy

This paper presents the main results of a study about the influence of the web on decision-making processes of women during pregnancy. It aims to understand how search practices, peer influence and opinion sharing are carried out and specifically focusing on the decisions concerning “prenatal screening” and “type of birth”. Data was collected using a questionnaire filled by 178 Portuguese pregnant women that focused on baseline demographics, Internet use and its comparison to traditional forms of information (medical personnel and family).The results are mainly descriptive and show that, although internet information was often sought and used, face to face contact, especially with the medical doctor, is most influential in decision making. Contact with other pregnant women, relatives and friends were relevant but less influential.The main conclusions point out that currently the physician's opinion is still the primary factor in decision making. The importance of Internet data is secondary when compared to direct interaction with the physicians and care givers.