The Relationship between Social Media Usage and General Health in the Older People of Shiraz City in Iran

Older people today have the fastest growth among demographic groups with increased life expectancy. Contemporary advances in the Internet, especially social media, have changed the pattern of health-based communication. Novel technologies in the form of using the Internet are affecting the healthcare environment. Online interactions can help the people pay more attention to their health and well-being. Patients frequently use the Internet, both as a source of information and for psychological support. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of social media use on the general health of older people. In this cross-sectional study, the general health survey for older people aged between 60 and 85 years of Shiraz was completed. The four health criteria also examined those using social media and those who did not. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods such as Mann-Whitney, ANOVA, t-test, and chi-square. The study revealed that the general health of the elderly was better for people using social media than for those not using the Internet. It was also found that using social media for more than an hour a day reduced the level of health in older people. No correlation was found between age and health status in older people. It was also found that the effect of using the Internet on increasing the women�s health was more pronounced. Using the Internet to interact with others can significantly improve the social functioning of older people. Given the positive impact of using social media on the health of older people, planning to encourage and adequately train the use of the Internet and social media in the elderly group is of particular importance. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature