Shibani Kulkarni1, Kaleea Lewis1, Swann Arp Adams2,3,4, Heather M Brandt5,6, Jamie R Lead7,8, John R Ureda9, Delores Fedrick10, Chris Mathews11, Daniela B Friedman5,12. 1. Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Room 529, Columbia, SC 29208. 2. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of South Carolina. 3. College of Nursing, University of South Carolina. 4. Statewide Cancer Prevention and Control Program, 915 Greene Street, Room 244, Columbia SC 29208. 5. Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina. 6. Statewide Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Discovery I Building, Columbia, SC 29208. 7. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina. 8. Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Public Health Research Center, Suite 511, Columbia, SC 29208. 9. Insights Consulting, Inc. 2728 Wilmot Ave., Columbia, SC 29205-254. 10. Chester County Literacy Council, 109 Ella Street, Chester, SC, 29706. 11. Turning Pages Greater Columbia Literacy Council, 4711 Forest Drive, Suite 3, PMB 267, Columbia SC 29206. 12. Statewide Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Suite 557, Columbia SC, 29208.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Effective online communication about the environmental risk factors of breast cancer is essential because of the multitude of environmental exposures and debate regarding the conclusiveness of scientific evidence. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the content, readability, and cultural sensitivity of online resources focused on the environmental risks factors of breast cancer. METHODS: A purposive sample of webpages focused on environmental risk factors of breast cancer was obtained through a Google search using 17 search terms. Using nonparametric statistics, we assessed the content, readability, and cultural appropriateness of 235 webpages. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of webpages referred to research studies in their content. For the majority of sites, readability was at a high-school reading grade level. Webpages were not explicitly intended for specific racial/ethnic groups. DISCUSSION: Technical language and non-culturally specific messages may hinder users' attention to and comprehension of online breast cancer information. Additional research is needed to examine in-depth the accuracy of this online content. TRANSLATION TO HEALTH EDUCATION PRACTICE: Findings suggest that collaborations between scientists, health educators, website designers/media professionals, and the community will be critical to the delivery of accurate, up-to-date, plain-language, and culturally sensitive information about breast cancer and the environment.
BACKGROUND: Effective online communication about the environmental risk factors of breast cancer is essential because of the multitude of environmental exposures and debate regarding the conclusiveness of scientific evidence. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the content, readability, and cultural sensitivity of online resources focused on the environmental risks factors of breast cancer. METHODS: A purposive sample of webpages focused on environmental risk factors of breast cancer was obtained through a Google search using 17 search terms. Using nonparametric statistics, we assessed the content, readability, and cultural appropriateness of 235 webpages. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of webpages referred to research studies in their content. For the majority of sites, readability was at a high-school reading grade level. Webpages were not explicitly intended for specific racial/ethnic groups. DISCUSSION: Technical language and non-culturally specific messages may hinder users' attention to and comprehension of online breast cancer information. Additional research is needed to examine in-depth the accuracy of this online content. TRANSLATION TO HEALTH EDUCATION PRACTICE: Findings suggest that collaborations between scientists, health educators, website designers/media professionals, and the community will be critical to the delivery of accurate, up-to-date, plain-language, and culturally sensitive information about breast cancer and the environment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast cancer; environmental risk factors; readability; website content
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