Explaining online health information seeking of foreign domestic workers: A test of the comprehensive model of information seeking
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department/Unit
Communication
Document Type
Article
Source Title
Health and Technology
Volume
9
Issue
1
First Page
7
Last Page
16
Publication Date
1-24-2019
Abstract
By explaining online health information seeking in terms of health-related and information carrier factors, this study contributes in two ways to conversations about communication and technology in the context of migration health. First, it examines the heuristic value of the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS) on the internet. Second, it explores antecedents of online health information seeking by female foreign domestic workers (FDWs), one of the overlooked and vulnerable groups because they are often unfamiliar with the healthcare system in countries of destination and have limited financial and informational resources. Drawing empirical evidence from a survey with Filipino FDWs in Hong Kong (HK), this study suggests that CMIS can be extended to the online health information seeking of FDWs. Salience and trustworthiness positively influenced utility. Moreover, trustworthiness and utility figured significantly in why Filipino FDWs in HK seek online health information. Theoretical and programmatic implications for communication and technology regarding positive health behaviors among migrants are discussed. © 2018, IUPESM and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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Digitial Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1007/s12553-018-0251-5
Recommended Citation
Bernadas, J. C., & Jiang, L. (2019). Explaining online health information seeking of foreign domestic workers: A test of the comprehensive model of information seeking. Health and Technology, 9 (1), 7-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-018-0251-5
Disciplines
Communication
Keywords
Medical informatics; Foreign workers, Filipino—Medical care--Hong Kong; Online information services
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