African American men's perceptions of factors influencing health-information seeking.
The lack of health information is one of several factors implicated in the poor health status of African American men. Although a growing body of research delineates the obstacles to African Americans' engagement in preventive health behaviors, relatively little is known about the barriers that adversely affect men's involvement in health-information seeking. This article presents qualitative data on African American men's information seeking through an analysis of focus group data. Three research questions are addressed: (a) What health-information concerns and needs do African American men have? (b) How do African American men describe their efforts to obtain health information? and (c) What factors facilitate or inhibit health-information seeking by African American men? The implications of the data and suggestions for future research are provided.
Sanders Thompson
Vetta L
VL
Health Communication Research Laboratory, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. sandervs@slu.edu
Talley
Michael
M
Caito
Nikki
N
Kreuter
Matthew
M
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics; D054526:Men's Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011584:Psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult