The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48707

Natalie A. Brown, BA¹, Julie A. Becker, PhD, MPH², and Gala True, PhD¹. (1) Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy and Research, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, One Penn Boulevard, Wister Tower, 4th Fl. Suite 4442, Philadelphia, PA 19144, 215-848-1264, brownna@einstein.edu, (2) Center for Public Health, Temple University, 2534 Swain Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Pregnant women may get information about pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare from any number of sources: providers, social services, family members and peers, books and other media. One of the fastest-growing sources of information for many women is the Internet. However, for some women access to health and pregnancy-related information on the Internet may limited or non-existent due to lack of knowledge, skills, and basic access. What are the benefits when pregnant women who would not otherwise have access are introduced to the Internet as a source of information? This presentation will report on findings from a pilot program, Women on the Web. The program teaches pregnant women about the Internet as a source of information, how to conduct simple and advanced searches, how to navigate within a site, and how to evaluate web pages for accuracy and utility. Women are also provided with ongoing access to the Internet through partnerships with community-based organizations and an Internet resource room on-site at a community clinic. Findings to be discussed include changes in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors around use of the Internet to access health information. We will also discuss participant feedback on perceived benefits of increased access to information gained through open-ended, semi-structured interviews.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Articulate the potential benefits of Internet access for pregnant women in underserved communities.
• Identify 3 key changes in skills, attitudes, and behaviors of participants in a course on use of the Internet to access health information.
• Discuss barriers and facilitators faced by community-based interventions to bridge the "digital divide."

Keywords: Maternal and Child Health, Internet

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.ppt format, 51.0 kb)