Information-seekingbehavior of the Hungarian population regarding colorectal cancer: A Digital Epidemiological Study Using Google TrendsTM
Author(s)
Zsuzsanna Kívés, MSc, PhD1, Klaudia Szalai, BSc2, Zita Lívia Szabó, BSc, MPH, MSc2, Réka Vajda, MSc, PhD1, Márió Gajdács, MPH, MSc, PharmD, PhD2;
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Szeged, Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, Szeged, Hungary
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Szeged, Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, Szeged, Hungary
OBJECTIVES: In Hungary, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer hold a leading position globally. The aim of the present study was to assess the intensity of information-seeking behavior of the Hungarian population regarding colorectal cancer.
METHODS: A quantitative, retrospective, observational study was carried out using the Google TrendsTM database, from which search intensity data was collected and assessed as raw and corrected relative search volumes (RSV and RSVcorr). Following an exploratory assessment of colorectal cancer-related search terms, ,,vastagbélrák” (,,colon cancer”) was selected, and data was extracted for the period between 2013.01.01-2022.12.31. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, parametric tests, time series analysis, joinpoint regression) were carried out using Jamovi 2.4.5 and joinpoint 5.3.0 (α: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]).
RESULTS: A decreasing trend (Mann-Kendall: S: -1398, p=0.0015) in search intensity was observed in Hungary, with a sharp decline after 2018 (AAPC2018-2022: -6.59% [95% CI: -16.12 - -3.07], p=0.002); no cyclicity or seasonal trends (Runs-test: p>0.05) were shown. The ,,World Cancer Day” (before vs. after: 49.33 [95% CI: 41.06-57.59] vs. 47.28 [95% CI: 39.51-55.04]; p>0.05) and ,,Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” (before vs. after: 47.28 [95% CI: 39.51-55.04] vs. 48.34 [95% CI: 40.67-56.01]; p>0.05) campaigns did not lead to significantly increased RSV-values for ,,vastagbélrák”. The most common related queries were ,,vastabélrák tünetei” (,,symptoms of colon cancer”; RSV: 100) and ,,vastabélrák szűrés” (,,colon cancer screening”; RSV: 17-34). Nationally, the counties of Vas, Heves and Komárom-Esztergom had the highest information need indices regarding colorectal cancer.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite their public health importance, a notable decreasing trend was seen in the Hungarian population’s colorectal cancer-related search intensity, which was further exacerbated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
METHODS: A quantitative, retrospective, observational study was carried out using the Google TrendsTM database, from which search intensity data was collected and assessed as raw and corrected relative search volumes (RSV and RSVcorr). Following an exploratory assessment of colorectal cancer-related search terms, ,,vastagbélrák” (,,colon cancer”) was selected, and data was extracted for the period between 2013.01.01-2022.12.31. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, parametric tests, time series analysis, joinpoint regression) were carried out using Jamovi 2.4.5 and joinpoint 5.3.0 (α: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]).
RESULTS: A decreasing trend (Mann-Kendall: S: -1398, p=0.0015) in search intensity was observed in Hungary, with a sharp decline after 2018 (AAPC2018-2022: -6.59% [95% CI: -16.12 - -3.07], p=0.002); no cyclicity or seasonal trends (Runs-test: p>0.05) were shown. The ,,World Cancer Day” (before vs. after: 49.33 [95% CI: 41.06-57.59] vs. 47.28 [95% CI: 39.51-55.04]; p>0.05) and ,,Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” (before vs. after: 47.28 [95% CI: 39.51-55.04] vs. 48.34 [95% CI: 40.67-56.01]; p>0.05) campaigns did not lead to significantly increased RSV-values for ,,vastagbélrák”. The most common related queries were ,,vastabélrák tünetei” (,,symptoms of colon cancer”; RSV: 100) and ,,vastabélrák szűrés” (,,colon cancer screening”; RSV: 17-34). Nationally, the counties of Vas, Heves and Komárom-Esztergom had the highest information need indices regarding colorectal cancer.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite their public health importance, a notable decreasing trend was seen in the Hungarian population’s colorectal cancer-related search intensity, which was further exacerbated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
PCR154
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives, Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
SDC: Oncology