Factors Associated with Health Information-Seeking in Low-Income Pregnant Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of health literacy, self-efficacy, and fetal health locus of control to health information-seeking in low-income pregnant women and the contribution from each factor alone or in combination to the variance in health information-seeking. This was a cross-sectional study of 143 English-speaking pregnant women who were recruited from a prenatal clinic and were 18 years of age or older in 2007-2008. Health literacy, self-efficacy, fetal health locus of control, and health information-seeking were measured using the Short Form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults, the Health Information Competence Scale, the Fetal Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Pregnancy Health Information-Seeking Scale. Health literacy was not significantly correlated with health information-seeking. Self-efficacy (r = .33) and internal fetal health locus of control (r = .27) demonstrated significant correlations with health information-seeking, and together they accounted for 15% of the variance in health information-seeking. After controlling for covariates, self-efficacy (p = .0006) and internal fetal health locus of control (p = .03) remained significantly associated with health information-seeking. In conclusion, pregnant women's characteristics, such as self-efficacy and internal fetal health locus of control belief, are associated with their health information-seeking during pregnancy.

Do Patient Preferences for Health Information Vary by Health Literacy or Numeracy? A Qualitative Assessment

“…The desire for information varies by patient and by circumstance. Demographic variables such as education level and race have been shown to influence information seeking (Rooks, Wiltshire, Elder, Belue, & Gary, 2012), as has health literacy (Shieh, Broome, & Stump, 2010). Patients with inadequate functional health literacy have worse comprehension of physician instructions and tend to ask fewer questions in the medical encounter (Sudore et al, 2009).…”

Fetal health locus of control in a sample of pregnant Turkish women

“…In this study, health literacy was negatively correlated with FHLC-P. This means that women with low health literacy were more likely to believe that health professionals were responsible for their baby's health (21). In a prior study, the number of prenatal visits was found to be negatively correlated with internal maternal locus of control and positively correlated with external/ powerful others maternal locus of control among a sample of impoverished women.…”

“…Subsequent studies found that people with external beliefs take more risks during pregnancy, and pregnant women with internal beliefs are more likely to change their lifestyle and adopt positive health behaviors (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). However, their number is few and no study conducted in Turkish society had been encountered.…”

Pregnancy-Related Information Need and Information-Seeking Pattern Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria

“…In order to answer research questions 1 and 2 on the levels of information-need and information-seeking, a descriptive analysis was done. Table 2 above, presents the levels of information-need and informationseeking were categorized as high (35-50), moderate/average (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34) and Low (1-17). It was found out that majority of the pregnant women in the study area had moderate level of pregnancy information needs (58.3%) and information-seeking (52.2%).…”

“…It comprised of five sections: Section A -Demographic Data Inventory; Section B: Sources of Information on Antenatal Care -13 items; Section C: Information Seeking Needs -12 items; Section D: Perceived Problems Inhibiting Information Seeking Needs -10 items; Section E: Information Seeking Types -10 items. The levels of information-need and information-seeking were categorized as high (35-50), moderate/average (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34) and Low (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Maximum attainable score was 50.…”