Health information-seeking among Latino newcomers - an exploratory study
ntroduction. This exploratory study examines health information-seeking practices among Latin American newcomers to a small city in the United States. The framework locates these practices within social networks, the local institutional context and the use and non-use of information technologies. &l...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Borås
2005-01-01
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| Series: | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://informationr.net/ir/10-2/paper224.html |
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| _version_ | 1832574153243230208 |
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| author | Christina Courtright |
| author_facet | Christina Courtright |
| author_sort | Christina Courtright |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ntroduction. This exploratory study examines health information-seeking practices among Latin American newcomers to a small city in the United States. The framework locates these practices within social networks, the local institutional context and the use and non-use of information technologies. <br><b>Method.</b> Semistructured interviews were conducted in Spanish with seven immigrant workers. Interviews elicited incidents of both purposive seeking and accidental encountering of health information. <br><b>Analysis.</b> Data were coded for reference to social networks, strengths of social networks, and perceptions and uses of institutions, organizations, and technologies, treating the information incident as unit of analysis. <br><b>Results.</b> Information seeking is often assisted by both social networks and key institutions, yet the quality of the information transmitted through social networks is apt to be uneven, and newcomers are unable to obtain an adequate overview of local health care for improved decision-making. Of particular interest is the finding that the local information environment has evolved significantly in response to growing demand for Spanish-language and low-income services. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> It is particularly important for information behaviour researchers to examine the dynamic interactions among study populations and their information environments over time. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-31fa26e3c4fa44388661fdde37e8a1c6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1368-1613 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2005-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Borås |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-31fa26e3c4fa44388661fdde37e8a1c62025-02-02T00:41:29ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132005-01-01102224Health information-seeking among Latino newcomers - an exploratory studyChristina Courtrightntroduction. This exploratory study examines health information-seeking practices among Latin American newcomers to a small city in the United States. The framework locates these practices within social networks, the local institutional context and the use and non-use of information technologies. <br><b>Method.</b> Semistructured interviews were conducted in Spanish with seven immigrant workers. Interviews elicited incidents of both purposive seeking and accidental encountering of health information. <br><b>Analysis.</b> Data were coded for reference to social networks, strengths of social networks, and perceptions and uses of institutions, organizations, and technologies, treating the information incident as unit of analysis. <br><b>Results.</b> Information seeking is often assisted by both social networks and key institutions, yet the quality of the information transmitted through social networks is apt to be uneven, and newcomers are unable to obtain an adequate overview of local health care for improved decision-making. Of particular interest is the finding that the local information environment has evolved significantly in response to growing demand for Spanish-language and low-income services. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> It is particularly important for information behaviour researchers to examine the dynamic interactions among study populations and their information environments over time.http://informationr.net/ir/10-2/paper224.htmlinformation seekinginformation behaviourinformation behaviourimmigrantscontextLatinoshealth information |
| spellingShingle | Christina Courtright Health information-seeking among Latino newcomers - an exploratory study Information Research: An International Electronic Journal information seeking information behaviour information behaviour immigrants context Latinos health information |
| title | Health information-seeking among Latino newcomers - an exploratory study |
| title_full | Health information-seeking among Latino newcomers - an exploratory study |
| title_fullStr | Health information-seeking among Latino newcomers - an exploratory study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health information-seeking among Latino newcomers - an exploratory study |
| title_short | Health information-seeking among Latino newcomers - an exploratory study |
| title_sort | health information seeking among latino newcomers an exploratory study |
| topic | information seeking information behaviour information behaviour immigrants context Latinos health information |
| url | http://informationr.net/ir/10-2/paper224.html |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT christinacourtright healthinformationseekingamonglatinonewcomersanexploratorystudy |