Health information seeking using smartphones among low SES hispanic adults in the U.S.A.

Abstract

The Internet-enabled smartphones are readily enabling ubiquitous and continuous access to information. Recent reports showed that Hispanics are more likely to own smartphones and use the mobile Internet than other racial groups in the U.S.A. However, little is known about the mobile access and use of smartphones in seeking health information for this group. This study conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 low SES (socioeconomic status) Hispanics in the U.S.A. Mobile context and situations prompting the adoption of smartphones for health information seeking were explored. The results shed light on how smartphones could help the underserved Hispanics search for health information, narrowing a gap in health disparity. Furthermore, this exploratory study contributes to a more in-depth understanding of mobile context and situations in mobile health information seeking behavior.