J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2022;33(4):1949-1964. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2022.0147.
This study aimed (1) to investigate levels of technology device access and social media use among African Americans in rural Alabama, (2) to examine the prevalence of online health information-seeking behaviors, and (3) to identify associations of technology device access and social media use with online health information-seeking behaviors.
A convenience sample of 185 African Americans aged 18 and older was recruited from a rural county in Alabama. Multilinear regression was conducted to examine the associations.
Nearly 60% of participants had access to the internet, smartphone, and tablets/computers. The prevalence of online health information-seeking behaviors was low. Technology device access was not associated with online health information-seeking behaviors, while more social networking sites were associated with more online health information-seeking behaviors.
Public health interventions are needed to promote internet use for health purposes among rural African Americans. Offline health information services should also target those lacking internet access.
本研究旨在：（1）调查阿拉巴马州农村地区非裔美国人使用技术设备和社交媒体的程度；（2）检验在线健康信息搜索行为的流行程度；（3）确定技术设备的使用和社交媒体的使用与在线健康信息搜索行为之间的关联。
从阿拉巴马州的一个农村县招募了 185 名年龄在 18 岁及以上的非裔美国人作为便利样本。采用多元线性回归分析来检验相关性。
近 60%的参与者可以使用互联网、智能手机和平板电脑/计算机。在线健康信息搜索行为的流行程度较低。技术设备的使用与在线健康信息搜索行为无关，而使用更多的社交网站与更多的在线健康信息搜索行为相关。
需要采取公共卫生干预措施，促进农村非裔美国人使用互联网获取健康信息。针对那些缺乏互联网接入的人群，线下健康信息服务也应作为目标。
