JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Although new approaches for data collection such as mobile technology and tele-research have demonstrated new opportunities for the conduct of more timely and less costly surveys in community-based studies, literature on the feasibility of conducing mHealth research among African Americans has been limited.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to investigate the usage of digital technologies and their association with cardiovascular health among the Jackson Heart Study participants.

Methods:

A digital connectedness survey was conducted in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS), a Mississippi-based African American cohort study, as part of the annual follow-up calls with participants from July 2017 to February 2019.

Results:

Of the 4024 participants contacted, 2564 (63.7%) completed the survey. Among survey respondents, 2262 (88.2%) reported use of internet/cellphone and 1593 (62.1%) had a smartphone. Compared to non-users, internet/cellphone users were younger (68.2 vs. 80.1 years), more likely to be affluent (40.1% vs. 15.4%), and had greater than high school education (72.5% vs. 28.1%). Internet/cellphone users were less likely to have cardiovascular disease history than non-users (6.6% vs. 15.8%). The prevalence of current smoking and average body mass index were similar between internet/cellphone users and non-users. Among internet/cellphone users, 1316 (58.3%) reported use of email, 504 (22.3%) reported use of apps to track/manage health, and 1269 (56.1%) expressed interest in using JHS-developed apps.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that it is feasible to use mHealth technologies to collect survey data among African Americans already enrolled in a longitudinal study. Our findings also highlight the need for more efforts to reduce the age and education divide in access and use of internet and smartphones for tracking health and research in African American communities.