Nursing Publications
Title
Health Literacy and Online Health Discussions of North American Black Women
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2008
Journal
Women & Health
Volume
47
Issue
4
First Page
71
Last Page
90
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03630240802100689
Abstract
Purpose: Women increasingly use the Internet for healthcare information. This pilot study examined the use of online chat rooms as a potential health promotion resource for women of color. Design: A directed qualitative content analysis assessed discussions (2002/2003 and 2004/2005) from two Internet chat rooms targeted to North American, English-speaking Black women. Methods: Verbatim transcripts were assessed using Nutbeam's (2001) model of health literacy. Results: Chat 1 and Chat 2 had 18 and 54 messages, respectively. Transcript readability was below grade 8 level. Discussions provided information on healthy behaviors, social support, and provocation for political action. Conclusions: The chat rooms provided health promotion information and social support at recommended readability levels and are illustrative of contemporary reorientation of health promotion services.
