title: Evaluation, use, and usefulness of prescription drug information sources among Anglo and Hispanic Americans.
abstract: This survey was conducted to determine and compare how Anglo and Hispanic Americans evaluate and use interpersonal, advertising, and mediated sources of prescription drug information. Findings suggest the following: (1) Hispanics rely on doctors, Internet advertising sources, and direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA), while Anglos frequently use health-related websites and health care professionals; (2) Anglos are more likely to use health-related websites such as WebMD, although Anglos and Hispanics do not appear significantly different in Internet source usefulness evaluation; (3) Hispanics rely on television (TV) and DTC TV advertising more than Anglos, and this tendency is stronger for strong than weak Hispanic identifiers; (4) Hispanics evaluate TV news stories and TV advertising as more useful than Anglos; (5) Hispanics evaluate DTCA more positively and with less skepticism than Anglos; and (6) Hispanic ethnic identification level is positively related to preferences for Spanish-language media and health care professionals.
authors.affiliation: Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Denise E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Delorme
authors.forename: Jisu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Leonard N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs