Date of Award

5-2017

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

School of Library and information Science

First Advisor

Samantha Hastings

Abstract

This study explores the reproductive health-related information-seeking of low-income women which has been found to be affected by digital divide disparities. Included in this is an assessment of what reproductive health-related information needs they have, which sources they consult most frequently, if they trust the sources that they use, and how their information-seeking interacts with the variables of perceived risk and perceived barriers. While there have been many studies on the end effects of a lack of accurate and accessible reproductive health information little research has been conducted to examine the reproductive healthcare information-seeking patterns of women who live in poverty.

This study employs a previously validated pregnancy information-seeking survey and adapts it to reproductive health. The survey is then piloted twice and revalidated. It is then administered to 70 low-income women in Charlotte, NC. Data analysis includes chi square, ordinal regression analysis, Spearman's rank and percentage. The qualitative section, added to the end, is coded and evaluated for themes.

The findings of this research implicate the significance of information literacy to compel efficient information-seeking for women of low-income regarding their reproductive health.

Rights

© 2017, Margaret S. Zimmerman

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