Health information needs and seeking behaviors among korean mothers of young children in the United States

Abstract

Previous studies have noted mothers' roles as active health information seekers, health managers, and caregivers for their family members. However, little is known about health information needs and seeking behaviors among Korean mothers of young children living in the United States. Using paper-based surveys, this study found that vaccination, child dental health, parenting, nutrition and diets, and physical exercise were ranked as the five most important topics by the Korean mothers of young children aged 0 to 10 years old in this sample. Furthermore, this study revealed that mothers of boys evaluated the importance of the following two topics significantly higher than those of girls: circumcision (t=3.16, p < .01) and breastfeeding (t=2.47, p < .05). Also, age of child was an important factor influencing mothers' information needs in three health topics: child dental health (F=5.292, p < .01), physical exercise (F=7.107, p < .01), and child skin care (F=5.640, p < .01). Implications for developing health information services are discussed.

Research trends in mothers' health information seeking behaviors: A review of the literature

“…In particular, the number of publications on this topic has constantly increased and skyrocketed since 2013. The findings demonstrate that mothers are ceaselessly noted as active health information seekers, health managers, and primary caregivers for their family members (Lee, ; Skranes et al, ; Yoo, ).…”

“…Health information seeking has been considered an important facilitator for promoting, maintaining, and returning people's health (Johnson & Case, 2012). In particular, researchers have noted mothers' roles as active health information seekers because mothers have been traditionally more involved in managing health for their family members (Lee, 2015;Skranes, Løhaugen, Botngård, & Skranes, 2014;Yoo, 2004). Some researchers have paid attention to the transition to parenthood, which represents a time when women start to seek information actively in the context of health (Bernhardt & Felter, 2004;Plantin & Daneback, 2009).…”

The complex information needs of disadvantaged young first-time mothers: insights into multiplicity of needs

“…It is notable that the majority of relevant studies within library and information studies (LIS) have involved mothers aged >20 and variously report an average age of approximately 30 (Nicholas and Marden, 1998;Lee, 2015;Loudon et al, 2016;Obasola and Mabawonku, 2017;Kamali et al, 2018). Findings are also generalised with the exception of Kamali et al (2018), who notably report decreasing age and education, and first-time pregnant status, as contributing to needs.…”

“…Whilst previous LIS studies provide some insight into the information needs of mothers, it is important to note that not all needs identified are evidenced, particularly non-health related; and in several instances, evidence is limited to selective quotes and/or simple topic listings (Kamali et al, 2018;Lee, 2015;Loudon et al, 2016;Nicholas and Marden, 1998;Obasola and Mabawonku, 2017). Some also lack important contextual data, specifically: socio-economic status (Ruthven et al, 2018), and existing or new mother status (Lee, 2015); and some are focused on specific topics such as health (Lee, 2015;Obasola and Mabawonku, 2017) or pregnancy and birth (Kamali et al, 2018).…”

“…We also note limited conceptual considerations of information need in previous studies. Several LIS studies do not extend to theoretical discussion (Nicholas and Marden, 1998;Lee, 2015;Obasola Mabawonku, 2017;Kamali et al, 2018), and another focuses on information seeking aspects (Loudon et al, 2016). One study (Ruthven et al, 2018), discusses mothers' online posts with reference to Taylor's (1968) levels of information need (outlined below), reporting posts to be longer and less specific when needs are not understood, and contributing to our understanding of how uncertainty can manifest in communication.…”