Primary Source Of Health Information Research Articles

Characteristics of youth's health keeping practices under the digitalization

The article discusses the problems of health keeping of modern Russian youth under the digitalization. Paying attention to the negative dynamics in the health of young Russians, the authors point out to form and promote a culture of health keeping among the younger generation. However, in order for the implemented measures to be effective, the authors propose to differentiate them taking into account the specifics of the perception of health and practices of caring for it among young people, which is associated with their distinction into two age groups within the framework of generational theory: zoomers and millennials. In this regard, the article presents the results of an empirical study conducted by the authors on the health conservation of Russian youth, which are depicted the characteristics of consumption and practices in the field of health among these age groups. As it states, both categories are quite conscious of their health status. The most common ways to stay healthy are proper nutrition, sleep patterns, and regular exercise. However, certain differences have been identified in the basic practices of caring for it as compared to the traditional model of a healthy lifestyle. Thus, self-tracking based on mobile applications, as well as digital consumption of health information in new media, is popular among zoomers. Millennials appear to be more committed to the primary source of health information, the medical community, which is also reflected in the need for regular health checkups. Based on the findings, a number of practical recommendations are proposed.

Health information sources and health-seeking behaviours of Filipinos living in medically underserved communities: Empirical quantitative research.

To describe sources of health information and health-seeking behaviours of adults (aged ≥18) living in medically underserved communities in the Philippines. This is a secondary, quantitative analysis from a cross-sectional parent study. Participants completed a 10-item, self-report survey on their sources of health information, healthcare providers sought for health and wellness and health-seeking behaviours when ill. Responses were evaluated across two age groups (<60 vs. ≥60 years) and genders using generalized linear mixed models. Surveys were completed by 1202 participants in rural settings (64.6% female, mean age 49.5 ± 17.6). Friends and/or family were their key source of health information (59.6%), followed by traditional media (37%) and healthcare professionals (12.2%). For health promotion, participants went to healthcare professionals (60.9%), informal healthcare providers (17.2%) or others (7.2%). When ill, they visited a healthcare professional 69.1% of the time, self-medicated (43.9%), prayed (39.5%) or sought treatment from a rural health clinic (31.5%). We also found differences in health-seeking behaviours based on age and gender. Our findings highlight the need to organize programs that explicitly deliver accurate health information and adequate care for wellness and illness. Study findings emphasize the importance of integrating family, friends, media and healthcare professionals, including public health nurses, to deliver evidence-based health information, health promotion and sufficient treatment to medically underserved Filipinos. New knowledge provides valuable information to healthcare providers, including public health nurses, in addressing health disparities among medically underserved Filipinos. This study addresses the current knowledge gap in a medically vulnerable population. Healthcare professionals are not the primary sources of health information. Approximately one-third of participants do not seek them for health promotion or treatment even when ill, exacerbating health inequities. More work is necessary to support initiatives in low- and middle-income countries such as the Philippines to reduce health disparities. We adhered to the reporting guidelines of STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) for cross-sectional studies. There was no patient or public contribution as our study design and methodology do not make this necessary.

An Assessment of the Arabic-Language Informational Resources Available to Colon Cancer Patients Online

Background: The internet has become a primary source of health information, particularly for cancer patients. This study evaluated the quality of online health information related to colon cancer in Arabic. Objective: To assess the reliability, accountability, legitimacy, and readability of Arabic websites providing information on colon cancer. Methods: A search was conducted on major search engines using Arabic keywords related to colon cancer. After initial screening, 13 websites were selected for evaluation. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, DISCERN instrument and website certification (Health on the Net - HON code) were used for assessment. Readability was analyzed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Results: Non-government websites, particularly Wikipedia, msdmanuals.com, and primomedico.com, demonstrated higher compliance with JAMA benchmarks. Six websites scored high on the DISCERN instrument, indicating reliable treatment information. Only one website was HON-code certified. Readability analysis revealed that text comprehension is challenging for most websites. Conclusion: Private agencies and hospitals managed non-government websites generally outperformed government websites' reliability, quality, and readability. However, overall improvement in Arabic's online health information landscape is essential to enhance accessibility and credibility for colon cancer patients

Self-identified barriers to health services among migrants 50 years of age or older: population-based survey study of Russian speakers in Finland

BackgroundThe compounded effect of a migratory background and ageing increases the risk of unequal medical treatment opportunities. The aim of this article is to investigate the social determinants of barriers to health services.MethodsThe study uses population-based survey data of Russian-speaking migrants (50 + years) residing in Finland (n = 1082, 57% of men, mean age 63 years). Multiple correspondence analysis was performed as a dimension reduction procedure on six barriers to health services. Multiple ordinary least-squares linear regression was used for the predicted score of the barriers as an outcome variable.ResultsMost of the sociodemographic characteristics were not associated with barriers to health services, except gender, as women tended to face more disadvantages. Migration-related factors, such as the need for interpreters for health services and experienced discrimination, were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting barriers to health services. Using the internet as a primary source of health information was associated with more access barriers to health services.ConclusionsMigrants 50 years of age or older face multiple barriers to health services. Given that the healthcare needs increase with age, addressing this issue becomes crucial, necessitating improved access to health services for older migrants.

Usefulness and Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Responses to Patient Questions for Neurosurgical Procedures.

The Internet has become a primary source of health information, leading patients to seek answers online before consulting health care providers. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) in neurosurgery by assessing the accuracy and helpfulness of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated responses to common postsurgical questions. A list of 60 commonly asked questions regarding neurosurgical procedures was developed. ChatGPT-3.0, ChatGPT-3.5, and ChatGPT-4.0 responses to these questions were recorded and graded by numerous practitioners for accuracy and helpfulness. The understandability and actionability of the answers were assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool. Readability analysis was conducted using established scales. A total of 1080 responses were evaluated, equally divided among ChatGPT-3.0, 3.5, and 4.0, each contributing 360 responses. The mean helpfulness score across the 3 subsections was 3.511 ± 0.647 while the accuracy score was 4.165 ± 0.567. The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool analysis revealed that the AI-generated responses had higher actionability scores than understandability. This indicates that the answers provided practical guidance and recommendations that patients could apply effectively. On the other hand, the mean Flesch Reading Ease score was 33.5, suggesting that the readability level of the responses was relatively complex. The Raygor Readability Estimate scores ranged within the graduate level, with an average score of the 15th grade. The artificial intelligence chatbot's responses, although factually accurate, were not rated highly beneficial, with only marginal differences in perceived helpfulness and accuracy between ChatGPT-3.0 and ChatGPT-3.5 versions. Despite this, the responses from ChatGPT-4.0 showed a notable improvement in understandability, indicating enhanced readability over earlier versions.

(108) Using the YouTube’s Polling Platform to Characterize Viewers' Sexual Practices

Abstract Introduction Research has been limited on the general population's understanding and insight into achievement of orgasm, prevalence and types of non-traditional sex practices and fetishes, masturbation frequency and motivation, erotica use, and knowledge about genital anatomy. Additionally there are research gaps regarding the way people interact with health information on social media. Objective This research aims to close these gaps and provide physicians with information to better address patients’ sexual health and wellness needs. Methods An online social media community was recruited to participate in a survey about sexual practices. The survey was distributed through community posts over two weeks to allow adequate time for respondents to answer. The survey consisted of questions on these topics: demographics, youtube content interactions, masturbation practices, masturbation and partnered sex, sexual practices, safe sexual practices, male external genital anatomy, and female external genital anatomy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze results. Results Between 670 to 18,000 respondents answered the poll questions. Demographic data indicated that there were a wide range of respondents; 61% of respondents were from North America, 20% from Asia and Australia, 13% from Europe, 3.6% from Africa, and 2.3% from Asia. The age range of participants were split with 18 to 29 year olds making up 24 %, 30 to 44 year olds making up 31 %, 40 to 59 year olds making up 26 %, and those over 60 making up 19 %. Respondents were overwhelmingly male and straight, at 95 % and 91 % respectively. The vast majority of respondents were able to successfully identify basic female and male genital anatomy. Regarding sexual practices, 76 % of respondents masturbated daily or weekly, 90 % did not feel significant shame regarding masturbation, and 69 % used erotic films for masturbation. Most respondents were able to orgasm from masturbation and the primary motivations for masturbation were sexual pleasure, stress relief and lack of a sexual partner. Over 70 % of respondents were able to orgasm from penetrative intercourse; when unable to masturbate the most common barriers were psychologic at 51 %. There was a wide range of times that it took to achieve orgasm during sex, with the most common being 5-10 minutes for 36 % of respondents. Survey takers were split on whether they used YouTube as their primary source of health information, with 46 % using youtube as their primary source. Conclusions Our survey found that YouTube was a primary source of health knowledge for a significant percentage of people, indicating the importance of having high quality health information available on social media. Most participants were able to correctly identify genital anatomy. Data on masturbation practices showed that most participants masturbate relatively frequently, are able to orgasm and use masturbation for sexual pleasure, stress relief and due to lack of a sexual partner. Most respondents were also able to orgasm during penetrative intercourse, and the biggest barrier for those unable to orgasm was psychosocial. This data helps illustrate attitudes and practices among a largely male heterosexual population regarding sexual practices. Disclosure No.

Parent-adolescent communication about COVID-19 safety precautions in Nigeria: A qualitative research

Parents remain the primary source of health information for adolescents but their discussions regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) safety precautions have not been systematically explored. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the communication between parents and children regarding COVID-19 safety measures. In-depth interviews with 25 parents from different communities in Enugu State, Nigeria, were conducted. The study revealed that parents obtained information about the severity of the virus and the preventive measures from the media. Then, they persuaded their children, sometimes through threat or force and religious allegories, to comply with the preventive measures. The discussions about safety measures between parents and their children proved to be effective since the parents reported that their children obeyed the rules following their communications. Parent-adolescent communication about COVID-19 also instilled the concept of practicing basic hygiene routines into the adolescents. The implications of the parent-adolescent communication for policy and research are discussed.

Health Information Seeking Behaviour among Teenagers Sri Lanka

In the contemporary era characterized by technological advancements, teenagers are displaying a growing inclination towards acquiring access to health-related information, which is crucial for teenagers to make informed decisions on their overall health and well-being. The findings indicate that the Internet is the primary source of health information, followed by kin and acquaintances, mass media, and medical practitioners among teenagers in Sri Lanka. Gender is a significant factor, as males prefer utilizing mass media and the internet, whilst females tend to rely more on medical practitioners, kinship networks, and friends. Education has a significant impact on teenagers’ health information-seeking behaviour; low-education teenagers depend more on kin and acquaintances, while higher-education teenagers are more inclined to utilize the Internet. Moreover, highly physically active teenagers rely on kin and acquaintances, while less active tend to rely on the Internet. The findings of the multinomial regression analysis emphasize that teenagers mostly rely on the Internet and medical experts in Sri Lanka. Education, perceived severity of health conditions, and health efficacy have an impact on these behaviours. This study adds to the body of knowledge regarding the information-seeking behaviours of teenagers, offering significant insights that can inform the progress of customized health promotion strategies and culturally appropriate digital health communication.

Social media for public health: Reaping the benefits, mitigating the harms.

With more than 4.26 billion social media users worldwide, social media has become a primary source of health information, exchange, and influence. As its use has rapidly expanded, social media has proven to be a "doubled-edged sword," with considerable benefits as well as notable harms. It can be used to encourage preventive behaviors, foster social connectivity for better mental health, enable health officials to deliver timely information, and connect individuals to reliable information. But social media also has contributed to public health crises by exacerbating a decline in public trust, deteriorating mental health (especially in young people), and spreading dangerous misinformation. These realities have profound implications for health professionals, social media companies, governments, and users. We discuss promising guidelines, digital safety practices, and regulations on which to build a comprehensive approach to healthy use of social media. Concerted efforts from social media companies, governments, users, public interest groups, and academia are essential to mitigate the harms and unlock the benefits of this powerful new technology.

The association between internet use to obtain health information and receiving three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine in a multi-ethnic population in Ohio

While most cancer incidence and mortality rates are decreasing, liver cancer rates are increasing. The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccine prevents liver cancer, although not everyone receives all three doses of the vaccine. This study examined the association between using the internet as the primary source of health information and receiving three HBV vaccine doses among a multi-ethnic population in Ohio. From May 2017 through February 2018, participants in the Community Initiative Towards Improving Equity and Health Status (CITIES) study reported their primary health information source and if they received three HBV vaccine doses. A multivariable logistic regression model was fit using backwards selection. Overall, 26.6% received three HBV vaccine doses. After adjusting for race/ethnicity and education, the association between internet use and receiving three HBV vaccine doses was not significant (p-value = 0.73). In the process of model-building, race/ethnicity and educational attainment were identified as factors associated with completing the HBV vaccine; Hispanics (OR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.69) and African Americans (OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.35, 0.81) had lower odds of receiving three doses compared to whites; compared to college graduates, those with a high school diploma or less also had lower odds (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.52). This study suggests no association between internet use and complete HBV vaccination; however, associations between both race/ethnicity and educational attainment and HBV vaccine completion were identified. Future research should consider factors that stem from racial/ethnic and educational disparities that may influence adherence to HBV vaccination (i.e., healthcare system mistrust, access to accurate health information).

The Factors Associated With Confidence in Using the Internet to Access Health Information: Cross-sectional Data Analysis.

Confidence in health information access is a measure of the perceived ability to obtain health information. One's beliefs or perceived ability to access health information is particularly important in understanding trends in health care access. Previous literature has found that access to health information is lowest among society's most vulnerable population groups. These groups include older, less educated, and low-income populations. While health confidence has previously been used as a scale to measure health outcomes, additional research is needed describing the demographic factors associated with users' confidence in health information access. This may be a key component of health information seeking that affects beneficial health outcomes such as prevention and treatment. This study examines the demographic factors associated with the levels of confidence in using the internet to access health information for adults 18 years and older in the United States. Using a cross-sectional design, secondary data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, Cycle 3 (2019) were analyzed (N=5374). An ordinal regression stratified by internet use was used to determine the association between demographic characteristics and level of confidence in health information access. When the internet is the primary source for health information, high school graduates (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.58, 95% CI 0.37-0.89) compared to those with a college degree or more had significantly lower odds of being confident in obtaining health information. In addition, non-Hispanic Asian participants (AOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.24-0.82) compared to non-Hispanic White participants, male participants (AOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.97) compared to female participants, and those who made between US $20,000-$35,000 annually (AOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31-0.98) compared to those who made US $75,000 or more annually had significantly lower odds of being confident in obtaining health information via the internet. Moreover, when the internet is the primary source for health information, those with health insurance had significantly higher odds of being confident in obtaining health information (AOR 2.91, 95% CI 1.58-5.34) compared to those who do not have health insurance. Lastly, a significant association was observed between confidence in health information access and primary health information source and frequency of visiting a health care provider. Confidence in accessing health information can differ by individual demographics. Accessing health-related information from the internet has become increasingly more common and can provide insight into health information-seeking behaviors. Further exploration of these factors can inform the science of health education by providing deeper insight into improving access to health information for vulnerable populations.

Preconception-Health-Related Attitudes of Bulgarian Women of Reproductive Age

Preconception care (PC) is relatively new area of practice. While the volume and quality of PC activities depend on local settings, the awareness of women is critical for the successful promotion of PC services. The aim of this study was to examine the preconception-health-related attitudes and experiences of Bulgarian women of reproductive age. A qualitative study conducted among 20 women aged 18 to 49 years was performed between May and July 2022. Two focus groups were used with mixed samples of nulligravida, pregnant, and postpartum women. The participants thought that the Internet and their obstetrician-gynecologist were the only places where they could learn about getting pregnant. Only two of them discussed their PC plans with their physicians. Women pointed out that general practitioners (GPs) need to be more proactive in promoting PC. All respondents outlined the need for a web-based educational platform that could serve as a primary source of health information for future families. The role and functions of GPs in the continuum of PC should be reconsidered. We recommend targeted educational measures for all stakeholders, including women and GPs. In this regard, an easily accessible, knowledge-based web platform could enhance Bulgarian women's awareness and perceptions of PC.

Millennials' and Z Generation's Knowledge on Child Immunization and the Role of Media in the Digital Era in Jabodetabek, Indonesia.

Vaccine hesitancy is a threat for global health. Shortly, millennials and Z generation (gen-Z), the digital natives, are responsible for the future of the children. No study was found yet regarding child immunization and the usage of media in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), Indonesia. This study aim to determine factors affecting millennials' and Z generation's knowledge about child immunization and the usage of media as the source of health information. Online questionnaire was distributed from 25th September to 20th November 2020 to students and workers in Jabodetabek. Subjects with child and/or <15 or >40 years old are excluded. Analysis was done with SPSS 20. Total of 376 subjects with mean age 18 (15-38) years old were collected. Subject's varies from high school students (48.4%), university students (46.2%) and workers (1.6%). Total of 357 (94.9%) subjects willing to complete their future child's immunization. Internet was the primary source of health information for 357 (94.9%) subjects, especially Instagram for 129 (34.3%) subjects. Concluded that subjects' immunization status affects their willingness to fully vaccinate their future children. Digital media (Instagram) is the primary source of health information. Educational background affects their consideration in trusting online sources.

The Dispersion of Health Information-Seeking Behavior and Health Literacy in a State in the Southern United States: Cross-sectional Study.

BackgroundThe transmission of health information from in-person communication to web-based sources has changed over time. Patients can find, understand, and use their health information without meeting a health care provider and are able to participate more in their health care management. In recent years, the internet has emerged as the primary source of health information, although clinical providers remain the most credible source. The ease of access, anonymity, and busy schedules may be motivating factors to seek health information on the web. Social media has surfaced as a popular source of health information, as it can provide news in real time. The increase in the breadth and depth of health information available on the web has also led to a plethora of misinformation, and individuals are often unable to discern facts from fiction. Competencies in health literacy (HL) can help individuals better understand health information and enhance patient decision-making, as adequate HL is a precursor to positive health information–seeking behaviors (HISBs). Several factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status are known to moderate the association between HL and HISBs.ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between HL and HISBs in individuals living in a southern state in the United States by considering different demographic factors.MethodsParticipants aged ≥18 years were recruited using Qualtrics Research Services and stratified to match the statewide demographic characteristics of race and age. Demographics and source and frequency of health information were collected. The Health Literacy Questionnaire was used to collect self-reported HL experiences. SPSS (version 27; IBM Corp) was used for the analysis.ResultsA total of 520 participants met the criteria and completed the survey (mean age 36.3, SD 12.79 years). The internet was cited as the most used source of health information (mean 2.41, SD 0.93). Females are more likely to seek health information from physicians than males (r=0.121; P=.006). Older individuals are less likely to seek health information from the internet (r=−0.108; P=.02), social media (r=−0.225; P<.001), and friends (r=−0.090; P=.045) than younger individuals. Cluster analysis demonstrated that individuals with higher levels of HISBs were more likely to seek information from multiple sources than those with lower levels of HISBs (mean range 3.05-4.09, SD range 0.57-0.66; P<.001).ConclusionsAge and sex are significantly associated with HISB. Older adults may benefit from web-based resources to monitor their health conditions. Higher levels of HL are significantly associated with greater HISB. Targeted strategies to improve HISB among individuals with lower levels of HL may improve their access, understanding, and use of health information.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Associations with gender, race, and source of health information.

Vaccinations for COVID-19 are being distributed, yet vaccine hesitance is placing many people at risk for infection, negative outcomes, and compromising public health. Given primary care clinics are where people most often interact with health care providers, understanding factors associated with this hesitance may help providers in integrated primary care settings best address this hesitance. Between September and November of 2020, a survey was sent to all primary care patients within a large southern California health system, with over 10,000 responding (22% response rate). Survey items included sociodemographic variables, level of vaccine hesitance, "proximity to COVID" (e.g., direct exposure to COVID-19 and consequences), as well as a patient's primary source of health information (e.g., traditional news, social media, etc.). Responses assessed the strength of hesitance. Results showed that while 78% of participants "strongly" believed vaccines generally are a good way to protect from illness, only 51% reported strong willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Consistent with previous surveys, younger patients were more hesitant to get vaccinated, as were people of color. Unique to this survey was the finding that those relying on social media, faith-based organizations, or family/friends for health information had the greatest vaccine hesitance. While our patient sample was less hesitant than other U.S. adult samples previously reported in the literature, our data suggest that targeting those patients who report reliance on nontraditional health information sources should be approached by primary care teams, including behavioral health providers, to address vaccine hesitancy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Critical Appraisal of the Content, Quality, and Readability of Online Health Information for Adolescents with Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is common in adolescents and has a significant impact on their quality of life. This population uses the Internet as their primary source of health information. We aimed to critically appraise the content, quality, and readability of online health information on adolescent dysmenorrhea.

Content Analysis of Skin Cancer Screenings on Pinterest: An Exploratory Study.

Skin cancer rates are rising in the United States, yet screening rates remain low. Meanwhile, social media has evolved to become a primary source of health information, with 40% of daily users of Pinterest reporting the platform as a “go-to” source. The objective of this research paper is to examine how skin cancer screenings were portrayed on Pinterest. Using the search terms “skin cancer screening” and “skin cancer exam”, researchers sampled every fifth pin to collect 274 relevant pins. Two researchers coded the pins, and interrater agreement was established at 94%. The results showed that twenty-two percent of the sample depicted skin cancer screening in a negative way, yet 41.5% noted that early detection leads to better outcomes. The pins were geared toward younger, white women with minimal depiction of people of color. Few pins included comprehensive information about skin cancer risk factors, importance of routine self-screenings, or what to expect with a medical provider. Fifty-eight percent of pins included links to personal blogs. In conclusion, social media has become a powerful source of health information, yet much of the posted information is incomplete. These findings present public health experts with an opportunity to disseminate more comprehensive skin cancer screening information on social media.

Health communication patterns of clean and healthy behavior in islamic Boarding School

The information received by Santries from various sources regarding infectious diseases in Pondok Pesantren’s environment is still confusing, which causes the Santries to be confused about finding reliable sources of information for their own health. They have sought this information through various sources. The purpose of this study is to determine who is the primary source of dissemination of health communication information related to Clean and Healthy Behavior and the health communication process within the Islamic boarding school in Sukabumi Regency, West Java, Indonesia. This study used a qualitative research method; then, the final results presented the health communication pattern among Islamic Boarding School in Sukabumi Regency. A case study approach was used in this study. The unavailability of updated, relevant data shows that the Central Government is still not actively moving towards the success of the PHBS Program at the national level in general and the education level of Islamic boarding schools in general. The difference between the provisions of the central government and the teachings of the Islamic religion that is applied in the Islamic Boarding School environment is one of the obstacles to implementing PHBS at the education level. The health information available in the mass media cannot be used by Santries to obtain information related to health. This research concludes that health information from Kyai’s teachings are the primary sources of health information in the Pesantren environment, supported by health information written in the Al- Quran and Al-Hadiths. Santries can receive health information outside the Pesantren environment through medical personnel, mass media, and information from the school. Suggestions from this research are PHBS counseling for Kyai and Santries according to national health standards under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Applying the integrated marketing communication approach to recruit and retain African American women.

Background: Researchers use multiple approaches to engage and maintain underrepresented populations in research. They often overlook integrated marketing communication (IMC), a useful approach for commercial marketing, for more established health promotion and social marketing techniques. There is limited information on the application of the IMC approach for recruiting and retaining African American study participants. This article explores the IMC approach used to recruit and retain volunteers for a community-based intervention. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study relying on extracted data from the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Physical Activity intervention. A brief multiple-choice survey was administered to a sample of African American women (n=74) to assess the effectiveness of applying an IMC approach for recruiting and retaining volunteers for the multi-week program during January - June 2018. The measures were (1) source for study information, (2) preferred method of contact, (3) primary source for health information. Results: Sixty-nine women listed their doctor as the primary source of health information and five women in the age group 18-34 identified social media (n=3) and websites (n=2). Age is significantly related to the preference of communication tools used to recruit and retain the African American participants. A statistical significance (P =0.025) suggests for women ages 51-69, a combination of radio, church, and word of mouth was more effective for recruitment. The older women preferred telephone calls compared to the women ages 18-50 who relied on texting. Conclusion: IMC can synergize individual communication elements in a coordinated manner to address niche audiences and develop cost-effective health communications programs that can improve recruitment and retention efforts in minority populations.

Promoting Fish Consumption Messages: Perspectives of Hmong Women of Childbearing Age.

Objectives: Through focus groups, we aimed to understand ways to promote safe and healthy fish consumption among Hmong women in Minnesota. Methods: English-speaking Hmong women aged 18-40 were eligible to participate in 90-minute focus groups. Through our questions, we sought to gain understanding of the women's health-seeking behaviors and to obtain feedback on current messaging. We recorded the focus groups and transcribed and double-coded the data using sequential directed content analysis. Results: Thirteen Hmong women participated across 3 focus groups. The final coding tree included 6 primary themes related to health messaging, with adequate inter-coder reliability for each. Women identified the Internet as the primary source of health information with website preferences driven in-part by preferences of elders. Discrepancies between health beliefs of elder and younger generations were noted, with some evidence that personal fish consumption preferences outweighed cultural norms. Messages clearly targeting the Hmong population were preferred, with discrepancy in risk-versus benefit-framed messages. Conclusions: Findings highlight the need for culturally informed messages that are clear and carefully tailored. Our findings will inform future development of safe and healthy fish consumption messaging to better support the Hmong community in Minnesota.