Characterizing technology use and preferences for health communication in South Asian immigrants with prediabetes or diabetes (Preprint)

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) disproportionately affects South Asian subgroups. Lifestyle prevention programs help prevent and manage diabetes, however there is a need to tailor these programs for mobile health (mHealth).

This study examined We used baseline data from two clinical trials among South Asian immigrants in New York City (NYC), one focused on diabetes prevention and one focused on diabetes management. Descriptive statistics examined overall and sex stratified socio-demographics and technology use. Overall logistic regression examined three outcomes: preference for diabetes information by text message, online (videos, voice notes, or forums), and no interest/skipped response.technology use and among South Asian immigrants with diabetes or at-risk for diabetes.

We used baseline data from two clinical trials among South Asian immigrants in New York City (NYC), one focused on diabetes prevention and one focused on diabetes management. Descriptive statistics examined overall and sex stratified socio-demographics and technology use. Overall logistic regression examined three outcomes: preference for diabetes information by text message, online (videos, voice notes, or forums), and no interest/skipped response.

The overall sample (N=816) had a mean age of 51.8 years (SD=11.0) and was mostly female (56.6%), married (93.3%), with less than a high school education (58.8%), and limited English proficiency (LEP, 90.7%). Most had a smartphone (75.3%) and reported interest in receiving diabetes information via text messages (74.6%). Females were significantly less likely to own smart devices or use social media applications compared to males. Factors significantly associated with an interest in receiving diabetes information via text messaging included male sex, current unemployment, greater than a high school education, and owning a smart device. Factors significantly associated with an interest in receiving diabetes information through videos, voice notes, or online forums included male sex and ownership of a smart device. Factors significantly associated with no interest/skipping the question about receiving diabetes information included female sex, a high school education or less, not being married, current employment, and not owning a smart device.

Technology ownership, access, and social media usage were moderately high in primarily low-income South Asians in NYC with prediabetes or diabetes. Sex, education, marital status, and employment were associated with interest in mobile health interventions. Future studies may need to provide additional support to South Asian women when designing and developing mobile health interventions.

Clinical Trials.gov NCT03333044 and NCT03188094; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03333044 and https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03188094

RR2-10.1186/s13063-019-3711-y