Predictors of Seeking Care for Influenza-Like Illness in a Novel Digital Study


 
 
 Previous research has estimated that over 50% of individuals experiencing influenza-like illness (ILI) do not seek healthcare. Understanding factors influencing care-seeking behavior for viral respiratory infections may help inform policies to improve access to care and protect public health. We used person-generated health data (PGHD) to identify factors associated with seeking care for ILI.
 
 
 
 Two observational studies (FluStudy2020, ISP) were conducted during the United States 2019–2020 influenza season. Participants self-reported ILI symptoms using the online Evidation platform. A log-binomial regression model was used to identify factors associated with seeking care.
 
 
 
 Of 1667 participants in FluStudy2020 and 47 480 participants in ISP eligible for analysis, 518 (31.1%) and 11 426 (24.1%), respectively, sought healthcare. Participants were mostly female (92.2% FluStudy2020, 80.6% ISP) and aged 18–49 years (89.6% FluStudy2020, 89.8% ISP). In FluStudy2020, factors associated with seeking care included having health insurance (risk ratio [RR] 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30, 3.54), more severe respiratory symptoms (RR 1.53; 95% CI 1.37, 1.71), and comorbidities (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.20, 1.58). In ISP, the strongest predictor of seeking care was high symptom number (RR for six/seven symptoms 2.14; 95% CI 1.93, 2.38).
 
 
 
 Using PGHD, we confirmed low rates of healthcare-seeking behavior for ILI and show that having health insurance, comorbidities and a high symptom burden were associated with seeking healthcare. Reducing barriers in access to care for viral respiratory infections may lead to better disease management and contribute to protecting public health.
