Health Information–seeking Behaviors and Preferences of a Diverse, Multilingual Urban Cohort

Bibliographic Data

ID9099499
AuthorsElaine C Khoong (0000-0002-2514-3572, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author), Gem M Le (0000-0001-6071-3385, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine), Mekhala Hoskote (0000-0002-8787-5357, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine), Natalie A Rivadeneira (0000-0003-2421-9915, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine), Robert A Hiatt (0000-0001-7174-8436, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics), Urmimala Sarkar (0000-0003-4213-4405, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine)
Year2019
Volume57
IssueSuppl 2
PagesS176-S183
Publication date2019-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0025-7079 • E-ISSN: 1537-1948
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/mlr.0000000000001050
PMID31095058
OpenAlexW2946164321
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited22

INTRODUCTION: In order to address health disparities, it is important to understand how vulnerable individuals seek information. This study used an adapted version of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) administered in English, Spanish, and Chinese to describe the behaviors and preferences of a diverse group of vulnerable urban residents. METHODS: We administered a modified HINTS survey in English, Spanish, and Chinese and used purposive sampling to ensure 50% were non-English speakers evenly divided between Spanish and Chinese speakers, and 50% of English-speakers identified as Black. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine characteristics associated with sources used for health information and preferences for delivery of health information. RESULTS: Among 1027survey respondents (514 English, 256 Spanish, 260 Chinese), 55% had adequate health literacy, and 50% reported household income <$20,000, but 77% reported owning a smartphone. A plurality sought health information on the Internet (39%) or from a health care provider (36%). In multivariable analyses, smartphone ownership predicted higher odds of seeking health information on the Internet [odds ratio, (OR) 2.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.81-4.91]. Participants most preferred email (41%) and brochures (40%) for delivery of health information, but non-English survey respondents were less likely to prefer email: Spanish (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.11-0.83) and Chinese (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.71). Smartphone ownership predicted an email preference (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.43-3.36). CONCLUSIONS: Among vulnerable populations, smartphone ownership and language preferences impact preferences for seeking and receiving health information. These preferences need to be considered in designing health messages

Confidence interval · Family medicine · Health care · Health information · Health Information National Trends Survey · Health literacy · Information seeking · Information seeking behavior · Limited English proficiency · Logistic regression · Odds · Odds ratio · Preference · Sociology · The Internet · World Wide Web · Demography · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Psychology · Technology Use by Older Adults

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