Janet N Chu1, Urmimala Sarkar2, Natalie A Rivadeneira3, Robert A Hiatt4, Elaine C Khoong3. 1. Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 1545 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States. 2. Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 1545 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States; Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 2789 25th St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States. Electronic address: urmimala.sarkar@ucsf.edu. 3. Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 1545 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States; Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 2789 25th St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, 1450 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We examined the impact of language preference and health literacy on health information-seeking experiences in a multilingual, low-income cohort. METHODS: We administered a modified Health Information National Trends Survey in English, Spanish, and Chinese to a sample of San Francisco city/county residents. Using multivariable logistic regression analyses, we assessed how language and health literacy impact health information-seeking experiences (confidence, effort, frustration, quality concerns, and difficulty understanding information), adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, usual place of care, health status, information-seeking behaviors, and smartphone ownership. RESULTS: Of 1000 participants (487 English-speaking, 256 Spanish-speaking, 257 Chinese-speaking), 820 (82%) reported at least one negative health information-seeking experience. Chinese-language was associated with frustration (aOR = 2.56; 1.12-5.86). Difficulty understanding information was more likely in Spanish-language respondents (aOR = 3.58; 1.25-10.24). Participants with limited health literacy reported more effort (aOR = 1.97; 1.22-3.17), frustration (aOR = 2.09; 1.28-3.43), concern about quality (aOR = 2.72; 1.60-4.61), and difficulty understanding information (aOR = 2.53; 1.58-4.05). Language and literacy impacted confidence only in the interaction term between Chinese-speakers and health literacy. CONCLUSION: We found that negative health information-seeking experiences were common in non-English speaking populations those with limited health literacy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health communication efforts should consider both language preference and health literacy to ensure accessibility for all patients.
OBJECTIVE: We examined the impact of language preference and health literacy on health information-seeking experiences in a multilingual, low-income cohort. METHODS: We administered a modified Health Information National Trends Survey in English, Spanish, and Chinese to a sample of San Francisco city/county residents. Using multivariable logistic regression analyses, we assessed how language and health literacy impact health information-seeking experiences (confidence, effort, frustration, quality concerns, and difficulty understanding information), adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, usual place of care, health status, information-seeking behaviors, and smartphone ownership. RESULTS: Of 1000 participants (487 English-speaking, 256 Spanish-speaking, 257 Chinese-speaking), 820 (82%) reported at least one negative health information-seeking experience. Chinese-language was associated with frustration (aOR = 2.56; 1.12-5.86). Difficulty understanding information was more likely in Spanish-language respondents (aOR = 3.58; 1.25-10.24). Participants with limited health literacy reported more effort (aOR = 1.97; 1.22-3.17), frustration (aOR = 2.09; 1.28-3.43), concern about quality (aOR = 2.72; 1.60-4.61), and difficulty understanding information (aOR = 2.53; 1.58-4.05). Language and literacy impacted confidence only in the interaction term between Chinese-speakers and health literacy. CONCLUSION: We found that negative health information-seeking experiences were common in non-English speaking populations those with limited health literacy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health communication efforts should consider both language preference and health literacy to ensure accessibility for all patients.
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