Access to technology, internet usage, and online health information-seeking behaviors in a racially diverse, lower-income population.
Front Public Health
; 12: 1328544, 2024.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38450126
ABSTRACT
Background:
This study examined access to technology, internet usage, and online health information-seeking behaviors, in a racially diverse, lower-income population.Methods:
Data were obtained via a cross-sectional survey of low-income communities in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York between April and August 2023. Binary responses to the following online health information-seeking behaviors, internet and technology access, were examined using the internet to (i) understand a medical diagnosis, (ii) fill a prescription, (iii) schedule a healthcare appointment, (iv) email communication with a healthcare provider, and (v) access electronic health records and medical notes.Results:
41% of survey respondents identified as non-Hispanic Black individuals, 33% as non-Hispanic White individuals, and 22% as Hispanic individuals. 69% reported a pre-tax annual household income of less than $35,000. 97% reported ownership/access to a smart device; 97% reported access to reliable internet. In the past year, only 59% reported using the internet to better understand their medical diagnosis, 36% reported filling a prescription online, 47% scheduled a medical appointment online, 47% viewed electronic health records online, and 56% emailed healthcare providers. Female sex, higher incomes, and having at least a bachelor's degree were significantly associated with all five online health information-seeking attributes.Conclusion:
Despite high technology adoption rates, we observed suboptimal online health information-seeking behaviors. This underutilization has potential adverse implications for healthcare access and use given the documented advantage of HIT. Efforts to increase health information-seeking behaviors should explore the identification of HIT barriers, and patient education to increase familiarity and usage in this population.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comportamento de Busca de Informação
/
Uso da Internet
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article