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Implications of Technology Access and Use for HPV-related Cancer Detection among African Immigrants in the United States
KAMANGA, URSULA B.
KAMANGA, URSULA B.
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Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer is preventable, yet screening and vaccination rates among African immigrants in the United States remain low. Understanding health information access and use among African immigrants is important to prevent the onset of HPV-related cancer among this population; however, little research has examined this topic. This study draws on the Health Belief Model (HBM) to understand 18-45-year-old African immigrants’ psychological and behavioral factors as they relate to HPV-related cancer. Particularly, using a cross-sectional survey research approach, a sample of African immigrants (N=330) recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) completed an online questionnaire. This research assessed demographic, psychological, and behavioral factors related to HPV-related cancer, including perceived health beliefs, eHealth literacy, technology access, perceived trust, and health information seeking. The results indicated that African immigrants who are older, educated, with higher income levels, and higher technology access are more likely to seek online health information in general and for HPV specifically. Study participants who are older were more likely to screen for cancer, while those with higher education attainment and higher income levels were more likely to vaccinate against HPV. Furthermore, participants with higher levels of eHealth literacy were more prone to seek health information in general and as it relates to HPV, after controlling for demographics and technology access. These results suggest the importance of considering not only demographics, but also technological skills and access in understanding African immigrants’ informational and behavioral intentions related to HPV-related cancer. This dissertation offers scholarly, practical and policy implications for health communication researchers, practitioners, and policy makers.
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2022-08-31
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University of Kansas
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This item contains archived web content.
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Mass communication, Health education, Communication, African Immigrants, Health Belief Model, HPV-related Cancer, Online Health Information Seeking, Technology Access