Searching for Answers: Information-Seeking by Young People At-Risk for Huntington’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Health information-seeking is a coping strategy used globally by individuals with a personal or family history of a medical condition, including Huntington’s disease (HD). Objective: We sought to ascertain information-seeking practices of young people who grew up at-risk for HD. Methods: Participants ages 18–25 were recruited from HD support organizations. An online 96-item survey assessed information-seeking motivations and timing as well as information topics accessed, sources, and needs. Results: Fifty young adults (mean age 22.2 years) who grew up at-risk for HD responded. HD had been generally kept a secret (35.4%) or talked about but difficult to bring up (43.8%) in many families. Most (78.0%) became aware of HD in their family before age 15. Few (7.1%) received information resources at the time of disclosure. Most (68.1%) first sought information independently online, half within a week of disclosure. Respondents were motivated to understand the potential impact of HD on their personal lives and family members, obtain general information about the condition, and learn about treatments and research. Most sought information on clinical features and inheritance with > 80% interested in information on symptoms and personal risk and > 70% about having children. Conclusion: Limited information is provided to young people when first informed about HD in their families leading to independent, mostly online information-seeking. Information is used to build knowledge about HD to facilitate coping and life planning. Healthcare providers can direct young people to reliable resources and guide parents in talking with children to ensure that information needs are met.