Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 4, 2014, Pages 699-705

Identifying barriers preventing Latina women from accessing WIC online health information (Article)

Vehawn J. , Richards R. , West J.H.* , Cougar Hall P. , Crookston B.T. , Neiger B.L.
  • a Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, 229-D Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602, United States
  • b Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
  • c Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, 229-D Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602, United States
  • d Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, 229-D Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602, United States
  • e Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, 229-D Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602, United States
  • f Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, 229-D Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602, United States

Abstract

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a program for low-income women and children under age five. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to accessing online WIC resources among Latina WIC clients. Five focus groups were conducted with Spanish-speaking participants recruited from a single WIC clinic. Two key themes emerged relating to barriers in accessing WIC's online resources. The first theme, access issues, included three subthemes: lack of computer/Internet resources; family barriers to computer use; and computer literacy. The second theme, perceived value of the website, included three subthemes: limited time savings; preference for on-site education; and knowledge about the website. This is the first study to evaluate barriers to accessing online resources among Latina women in the WIC program. WIC sites attempting to increase utilization of online resources may be more successful if they serve clients with easy access to a computer with Internet access. They may also consider strategies to increase the value of the online resources, as compared to their current services offered to clients in a face-to-face setting. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

focus groups WIC Internet Computers Latinos

Index Keywords

information processing utilization female Humans Internet questionnaire Focus Groups food assistance Hispanic Americans poverty Surveys and Questionnaires United States human adult access to information Hispanic Adolescent
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84904399516&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-013-9801-0&partnerID=40&md5=748e17ce30eabf30173646b77322931e
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9801-0
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English