Media Use and the Motivational Factors for Preventing Communicable Diseases among African Immigrants in the United States

Abstract

African immigrants in the United States have contributed to a culturally and linguistically diverse US population. This also implies an increase in health disparities as minority populations experience a higher prevalence of communicable diseases that are closely linked with social, economic, and environmental disadvantages. Although African immigrants are more likely to be educated, they are also more likely to be challenged by factors associated with cultural differences, language skills, lower health literacy, and access to health information and care services. The purpose of this study was to examine if media use, including social media usage and other communication-related factors (health literacy, eHealth literacy, and health information seeking) influenced their motivations for the prevention of communicable diseases. Based on the Protective Motivation Theory, the study also examined the influence of communication-related factors on threat appraisal (risk perception, vulnerability, and perceived seriousness), coping appraisal (self-efficacy and response efficacy), and risk-reduction behaviors.