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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Lorie Donelle, BScN, MA and Laurie Hoffman-Goetz, PhD, MPH. Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada, 519 885-1211, ldonelle@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca

Objective: Internet based chat rooms have been identified as an important means of accessing health information, gaining support, or serving as a reference for others. This investigation analyzes health oriented Aboriginal chat room discussions. Design: Two online Aboriginal based chat rooms (Chat A; Chat B) were identified. Content analysis was the primary methodological focus within a mixed methods approach. Results: The findings were framed with Nutbeam's model of health literacy. Discussions within Chat B were centralized around issues of political activism and advocacy regarding Aboriginal health care. Postings were in the form of bulletins, announcements, and prepared media pieces rather than conversation. The postings were lengthy, some containing complex language. This same chat environment demanded high levels of readability. In contrast, Chat A discussions were more personalized. Consistent themes within Chat A were community building and the development of supportive friendships. Chat A also encouraged the development of ‘virtual' social support, with health care discussions providing a ‘just-in-time' model for health education. At times, members of Chat A functioned as a smoking cessation self-help group and as health educators around issues related to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, menopause, menstruation, and native health rituals. In both chat environments, health was defined in a holistic way. Conclusions: Analysis of archived transcripts from Internet chat rooms targeting Aboriginal peoples provided evidence that health oriented on-line environments provide opportunities for more than just dissemination of health information. These Internet environments also serve as a virtual voice for lifestyle coaching, political action, community building, and advocacy.

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

• Articulate the three levels of health literacy within Nutbeam's health literacy framework.
• Recognize the versatility of health based Internet chat room environments in accommodating a continuum of Aboriginal participants' health literacy skills.
• List three health promotion interventions provided by way of health based Internet chat room participation for this Aboriginal population.

Keywords: Health Literacy, Internet

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered