Information, self-help and identity creation: information and communication technologies (ICTs) and associations for the physically disabled. The example of poliomyelitis

https://doi.org/10.18294/sc.2011.389

Published 7 October 2011 Open Access


Rosa Ballester Doctora en Medicina. Catedrática de Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad Miguel Hernández, España , Eduardo Bueno Licenciado en Historia. Becario del Proyecto Prometeo para grupos de excelencia (Prometeo 2009/122), Generalitat Valenciana, España , Javier Sanz-Valero Doctor en Salud Pública. Profesor del Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, España. Profesor del Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Alicante, España



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Keywords:

Internet, Quality Indicators, Self-Help Groups, Poliomyelitis, Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome

Abstract


The aim of this paper is to study the quality of the websites of associations for people with polio and post-polio syndrome as an example of an important method for exchanging information and promoting the social visibility of physically disabled people. A descriptive cross-sectional study of 375 sites that met inclusion criteria, found using of the Google search engine, was carried out. The quality was studied through 22 variables, 8 of which make up the "Credibility Indicator". None of the websites met all the quality criteria nor all 8 items in the Credibility Index. A positive correlation between the variables of quality and credibility criteria (Pearson r = 0.81, p<0.001) was observed, therefore the Credibility Index is suggested as a useful tool for determining the quality of the websites. However, this tool must be supplemented with other qualitative approaches that explore both the contexts of lay-expert relationships and the function these sites serve.