Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Sep 29, 2020
Date Accepted: Jul 19, 2021
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Attitudes Toward the Environment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies to Address Environmental Health Risk in Marginalized Communities: A Prospective Cohort Study Design
ABSTRACT
Background:
Information and communication technologies (ICT), including mobile health (mHealth), can help isolated communities address environmental health challenges. The Puerto Rican island of Culebra has faced multiple socio-political and economic factors that have distressed this island’s environment and health. Culebrenses are technologically-engaged and have demonstrated use of technology that transcends socio-economic barriers. As a result, technological interventions could potentially help manage environmental risk on the island.
Objective:
The study aimed to test and evaluate ¡mZAP!’s potential benefits to engage communities with environmental risk through technology.
Methods:
Participants (n=111) using an mHealth tool, termed ¡mZAP! (Zonas, Acción y Protección) were surveyed. Bivariate analyses examined associations of mHealth use with socio-demographics, technology use, an adapted Environmental Attitudes Inventory (a-EAI), and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC). Logistic regression examined associations between attitudes toward environmental health risk and mHealth use.
Results:
Higher positive attitudes toward the environment were significantly associated with using ¡mZAP! (OR:5.3; 95%CI:1.6-17.0). Environmental attitudes were also associated with the MHLC “Powerful Others” subscale (P=0.02), indicating that attitudes toward the environment become more negative as feeling controlled by others increases. Participants felt that authorities would resolve challenges (58.3%, n=63).
Conclusions:
Perceived lack of control could present barriers to collective actions to address salient environmental health challenges in communities. The ongoing dependency on government-based solutions to community problems are worrisome, especially after the hurricane experiences of 2017 (and which may potentially continue to be an issue subsequent to the more recent 2020 earthquakes). Clinical Trial: n/a
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