Public interest in online searching of asthma information: insights from a Google trends analysis
Abstract Background Google Trends (GT) is a free tool that provides insights into the public’s interest and information-seeking behavior on specific topics. In this study, we utilized GT data on patients’ search history to better understand their questions and information needs regarding asthma. Met...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03545-9 |
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| author | Marsa Gholamzadeh Mehrnaz Asadi Gharabaghi Hamidreza Abtahi |
| author_facet | Marsa Gholamzadeh Mehrnaz Asadi Gharabaghi Hamidreza Abtahi |
| author_sort | Marsa Gholamzadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Google Trends (GT) is a free tool that provides insights into the public’s interest and information-seeking behavior on specific topics. In this study, we utilized GT data on patients’ search history to better understand their questions and information needs regarding asthma. Methods We extracted the relative GT search volume (RSV) for keywords associated with asthma to explore information-seeking behaviors and assess internet search patterns regarding asthma disease from 2004 to 2024 in both English and Persian languages. In addition, a correlation analysis was conducted to assess terms correlated with asthma searches. Then, the AutoRegressive predictive models were developed to estimate future patterns of asthma-related searches and the information needs of individuals with asthma. Results The analysis revealed that the mean total RSV for asthma-related keywords over the 20-year period was 41.79 ± 6.07. The researchers found that while asthma-related search volume has shown a consistent upward trend in Persian-speaking countries over the last decade, English-speaking countries have experienced less variability in such searches except for a spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. The correlation analysis of related subjects showed that “air pollution”, “infection”, and “insomnia” have a positive correlation with asthma. Developing AutoRegressive predictive models on retrieved Google Trends data revealed a seasonal pattern in global asthma-related search interest. In contrast, the models forecasted a growing increase in information-seeking behaviors regarding asthma among Persian-speaking patients over the coming decades. Conclusions There are significant differences in how people search for and access asthma information based on their language and regional context. In English-speaking countries, searches tend to focus on broader asthma-related topics like pollution and infections, likely due to the availability of comprehensive asthma resources. In contrast, Persian speakers prioritize understanding specific aspects of asthma-like symptoms, medications, and complementary treatments. To address these divergent information needs, health organizations should tailor content to these divergent needs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a1eec3ecebfa47f5827a20d1d019ee86 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2466 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-a1eec3ecebfa47f5827a20d1d019ee862025-08-20T02:48:11ZengBMCBMC Pulmonary Medicine1471-24662025-02-0125111210.1186/s12890-025-03545-9Public interest in online searching of asthma information: insights from a Google trends analysisMarsa Gholamzadeh0Mehrnaz Asadi Gharabaghi1Hamidreza Abtahi2Health Information Management and Medical Informatics Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesPulmonary and Critical Care Department, Thoracic Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Google Trends (GT) is a free tool that provides insights into the public’s interest and information-seeking behavior on specific topics. In this study, we utilized GT data on patients’ search history to better understand their questions and information needs regarding asthma. Methods We extracted the relative GT search volume (RSV) for keywords associated with asthma to explore information-seeking behaviors and assess internet search patterns regarding asthma disease from 2004 to 2024 in both English and Persian languages. In addition, a correlation analysis was conducted to assess terms correlated with asthma searches. Then, the AutoRegressive predictive models were developed to estimate future patterns of asthma-related searches and the information needs of individuals with asthma. Results The analysis revealed that the mean total RSV for asthma-related keywords over the 20-year period was 41.79 ± 6.07. The researchers found that while asthma-related search volume has shown a consistent upward trend in Persian-speaking countries over the last decade, English-speaking countries have experienced less variability in such searches except for a spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. The correlation analysis of related subjects showed that “air pollution”, “infection”, and “insomnia” have a positive correlation with asthma. Developing AutoRegressive predictive models on retrieved Google Trends data revealed a seasonal pattern in global asthma-related search interest. In contrast, the models forecasted a growing increase in information-seeking behaviors regarding asthma among Persian-speaking patients over the coming decades. Conclusions There are significant differences in how people search for and access asthma information based on their language and regional context. In English-speaking countries, searches tend to focus on broader asthma-related topics like pollution and infections, likely due to the availability of comprehensive asthma resources. In contrast, Persian speakers prioritize understanding specific aspects of asthma-like symptoms, medications, and complementary treatments. To address these divergent information needs, health organizations should tailor content to these divergent needs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03545-9Google trendTime series analysisAsthmaPublic interestRelative search volume |
| spellingShingle | Marsa Gholamzadeh Mehrnaz Asadi Gharabaghi Hamidreza Abtahi Public interest in online searching of asthma information: insights from a Google trends analysis BMC Pulmonary Medicine Google trend Time series analysis Asthma Public interest Relative search volume |
| title | Public interest in online searching of asthma information: insights from a Google trends analysis |
| title_full | Public interest in online searching of asthma information: insights from a Google trends analysis |
| title_fullStr | Public interest in online searching of asthma information: insights from a Google trends analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Public interest in online searching of asthma information: insights from a Google trends analysis |
| title_short | Public interest in online searching of asthma information: insights from a Google trends analysis |
| title_sort | public interest in online searching of asthma information insights from a google trends analysis |
| topic | Google trend Time series analysis Asthma Public interest Relative search volume |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03545-9 |
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