Mobile Device Ownership, Current Use, and Interest in Mobile Health Interventions among Low-income Older Chinese Immigrants with Type 2 Diabetes
ABSTRACT
Background:
Chinese immigrants suffer disproportionately high type 2 diabetes (T2D) burden and have poorly controlled disease. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been shown to increase access and improve chronic disease management in minority populations. However, such interventions have not been developed for or tested in Chinese immigrants with T2D.
Objective:
This study sought to examine mobile device ownership, current use, and interest in mHealth interventions in Chinese immigrants with T2D. We also examined predictors of current use of mHealth.
Methods:
In a cross-sectional survey, Chinese immigrants with T2D were recruited from Chinese community centers in New York City. Sociodemographics, mobile device ownership, current use of social media software applications, use of mobile phones or computers to watch a health-related video in the past 12 months, and interest in using mHealth for T2D management were assessed. Surveys were administered, face-to-face, by bilingual study staff in the participant’s preferred language. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study sample and summarize technology use. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to examine factors associated with whether participants watched a health-related video in the past 12 months.
Results:
The sample (N=91) was predominantly female (62.6%), married (74.7%), and had a high school degree or less (63.7%), an annual household income of less than $25,000 (69.2%), and limited English proficiency (85.7%); with a mean age of 70.2 years (SD=11.4). Almost all (98.9%) participants had a mobile device (e.g., basic cell phones, smart devices), and the majority (91.2%) reported owning a smart device (e.g., smartphone or tablet). WeChat was the most commonly used social media software application (71.4%), and 37.4% reported watching a health-related video in the last 12 months. Younger participants (age 65 or below) with a higher level of education (some college or above) were more likely to watch a health-related video in the past 12 months. Employment status and income were not significant in the multivariate model. Although most of our sample were older immigrants and reported a high school education or less, the majority (75.8%) reported interest in receiving an mHealth intervention in the future to help them with T2D management.
Conclusions:
Given the high level of mobile device ownership and interest in mHealth interventions, our study shows that mHealth may be a promising approach to deliver T2D education and counseling to this fast-growing minority group. Future mHealth intervention studies targeting Chinese immigrants with T2D may need to provide more technology training and support to older individuals with limited education. Clinical Trial: N/A
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