Jennifer A Manganello1, Angela L Falisi1, Kristin J Roberts2, Katherine C Smith3, Lara B McKenzie2,4,5. 1. Department of Health Policy, Management & Behavior, University at Albany School of Public Health, One University Place, #165, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA. 2. Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA. 3. Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. 4. Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, USA. 5. Division of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, OH, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An understanding of preferred sources of injury information among parents is needed to develop best practices for information dissemination. Yet, almost no research examines injury information seeking for a national sample of mothers. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2013 with 1081 mothers in the United States (U.S.) with at least one child <6 years. We measured self-report health literacy with the Morris Single-Item Screener (18% low), and eHealth literacy using the eHEALS (28% low). RESULTS: The internet was the most preferred source for injury information (76%), followed by health providers (44%), and family/friends (35%). Most mothers selected the internet as the first choice for information about bicycle helmets (65%) and car seats (63%). For poison prevention, preferences were mixed; 48% internet compared with 41% health providers. Mothers with low health literacy were more likely to have discussed injury prevention with their doctors (P = 0.022) and searched for injury information (P = 0.001), but less likely to report the internet as a top source (P < .0001). Mothers with low eHealth literacy were less likely to search for injury information (P < 0.0001) and report the internet as a top source (P < 0.0001), and slightly more likely to rely on health providers for information (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest the internet is a common source of injury prevention information, but health providers remain a valuable resource for mothers, especially those with lower literacy skills. Despite widespread internet use, health providers should be sure to communicate injury prevention information to mothers, especially those at risk for low health literacy and eHealth literacy.
BACKGROUND: An understanding of preferred sources of injury information among parents is needed to develop best practices for information dissemination. Yet, almost no research examines injury information seeking for a national sample of mothers. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2013 with 1081 mothers in the United States (U.S.) with at least one child <6 years. We measured self-report health literacy with the Morris Single-Item Screener (18% low), and eHealth literacy using the eHEALS (28% low). RESULTS: The internet was the most preferred source for injury information (76%), followed by health providers (44%), and family/friends (35%). Most mothers selected the internet as the first choice for information about bicycle helmets (65%) and car seats (63%). For poison prevention, preferences were mixed; 48% internet compared with 41% health providers. Mothers with low health literacy were more likely to have discussed injury prevention with their doctors (P = 0.022) and searched for injury information (P = 0.001), but less likely to report the internet as a top source (P < .0001). Mothers with low eHealth literacy were less likely to search for injury information (P < 0.0001) and report the internet as a top source (P < 0.0001), and slightly more likely to rely on health providers for information (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest the internet is a common source of injury prevention information, but health providers remain a valuable resource for mothers, especially those with lower literacy skills. Despite widespread internet use, health providers should be sure to communicate injury prevention information to mothers, especially those at risk for low health literacy and eHealth literacy.
Entities:
Keywords:
Child; Ehealth; Health literacy; Health providers; Injury; Internet; Media; Mothers
Authors: Aida Bianco; Rossella Zucco; Carmelo Giuseppe A Nobile; Claudia Pileggi; Maria Pavia Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2013-09-18 Impact factor: 5.428