Internet Use by Low-Literacy Adults Seeking Health Information
Author Information
Author(s): Birru Mehret S, Monaco Valerie M, Lonelyss Charles, Hadiya Drew, Njie Valerie, Bierria Timothy, Detlefsen Ellen, Steinman Richard A
Primary Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Hypothesis
Can low-literacy adults effectively access and evaluate health information on the Internet?
Conclusion
Web health information requires a reading level that prohibits optimal access by some low-literacy adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants accessed health websites written at or above a 10th grade reading level.
- Seven out of 8 subjects selected sponsored sites over search engine-generated links.
- Subjects collectively answered only 8 out of 24 questions correctly.
Takeaway
Some adults who struggle with reading have a hard time finding health information online because most websites are too complicated for them.
Methodology
Participants conducted self-directed Internet searches for health topics while verbalizing their thoughts, and their actions were recorded.
Potential Biases
Participants may have overestimated their Internet skills and comfort due to social desirability bias.
Limitations
The small sample size and the exclusion of non-native English speakers limited the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Average age was 41.5 years; 5 males and 3 females; 7 identified as African American and 1 as Asian.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website