JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There are significant health technology gaps between Latinos and NH Whites, and between first and second generation Latinos.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to examine disparities in online health information seeking behavior (HISB) and health information technology (HIT) use among Latinos, taking into account nativity and sub-ethnic affiliation.

Methods:

We analyzed US-born, non-Hispanic (NH) Whites and Latinos adults (N=49,259) in the 2015-16 National Health Interview Survey using a binary logistic regression controlling for individual difference level variables. Outcomes were Internet use, HISB (online health information-seeking and using a chat group for health information), and HIT (using a computer to schedule an appointment, filling a prescription, communicating with a provider).

Results:

We found that US-born Mexicans (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.99), US-born Central/South Americans (OR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.99), foreign-born Mexicans (OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.37), Foreign-born Puerto Ricans (OR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.76), foreign-born Central/South Americans (OR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.47), and foreign-born Other Latinos (OR= 0.33, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.48) had lower odds of using the Internet than US-born NH Whites. The relationship between subgroup affiliation and online health information seeking behavior varied by type of technology. US-born Mexicans (OR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.67, 0.87), foreign-born Mexicans (OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.44), foreign-born Puerto Ricans (OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.86), foreign-born Central/South Americans (OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.52) and foreign-born Other Latinos (OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.47) had lower odds of looking up health information online than US-born NH Whites. Controlling for age, sex, education, income to federal poverty level, and region foreign-born Mexicans (OR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.67), foreign-born Central/South American (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.80), and foreign-born Other Latino (OR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.43) had lower odds of filling a prescription using a computer than US-born NH Whites. Foreign-born Mexicans (OR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.75), foreign-born Central/South American (OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.94), and foreign-born Other Latino (OR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.69) had lower odds of using a computer to schedule medical appointments than US-born NH Whites, while there was no significant relationship for other groups. US-born Mexicans (OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.65, 1.00), US-born Other Latinos (OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.92), foreign-born Mexicans (OR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.48), foreign-born Puerto Ricans (OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.81), foreign-born Central/South Americans (OR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.42, 0.83), and foreign-born Other Latinos (OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.72) have lower odds of emailing a healthcare provider than US-born NH Whites.

Conclusions:

We found Latino subgroups do not use health information channels equally, and attempts to target Latinos should take ethnicity and nativity into account. Clinical Trial: n/a