Examining Disparities in Ownership and Use of Digital Health Technology Between Rural and Urban Adults in the US: An Analysis of the 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey.
| Autor: | Okobi E; Dentistry, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Abuja, NGA., Adigun AO; Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, USA., Ozobokeme OE; Medicine, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mount Pleasant, USA., Emmanuel O; Clinical Documentation, Emory Hospital, Georgia, USA., Akinsanya PA; Oncology, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, USA., Okunromade O; Public Health/Community Health Behavior & Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Greater Savannah Area, USA., Okobi OE; Family Medicine, Medficient Health Systems, Laurel, USA.; Family Medicine, Lakeside Medical Center, Belle Glade, USA., Aiwuyo HO; Internal Medicine, Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, USA., Dick AI; Public Health, Chicago State University, Chicago, USA., Sadiq-Onilenla RA; Health Sciences, Franklin University, Ohio, USA., Ogunlana FA; Family Medicine/General Practice, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust Derbyshire, Derby, GBR. |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Cureus [Cureus] 2023 May 02; Vol. 15 (5), pp. e38417. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 May 02 (Print Publication: 2023). |
| DOI: | 10.7759/cureus.38417 |
| Abstrakt: | Background: Although research shows that digital health tools (DHT) are increasingly integrated with healthcare in the United States, very few studies have investigated the rural-urban differences in DHT adoption at the national level. Individuals in rural communities experience disproportionately greater rates of chronic diseases and face unique challenges in accessing health care. Studies have shown that digital technology can improve access and support rural health by overcoming geographic barriers to care. Objective: To evaluate the rates of ownership and preferences for utilization of DHT as a measure of interest among rural adults compared to their urban counterparts in the United States using a National Inpatient Survey. Methods: Data was drawn from the 2019 (n= 5438) iteration of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5 cycle 3). Chi-square tests and weighted multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to examine rural-urban differences regarding ownership, usage, and use of digital health tools to interact with health care systems while adjusting for health-related characteristics and sociodemographic factors. Results: The ownership rates of digital health technology (DHT) devices, including tablets, smart phones, health apps, and wearable devices, were comparable between rural and urban residents. For tablets, the ownership rates were 54.52% among rural residents and 60.24% among urban residents, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.87 (95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.61, 1.24). The ownership rates of health apps were 51.41% and 53.35% among rural and urban residents, respectively, with an adjusted OR of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.62, 1.42). For smartphones, the ownership rates were 81.64% among rural residents and 84.10% among urban residents, with an adjusted OR of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.59, 1.11). Additionally, rural residents were equally likely to use DHT in managing their healthcare needs. Both groups were equally likely to have reported their smart device as helpful in discussions with their healthcare providers (OR 0.90; 95% CI 63 - 1.30; p = 0.572). Similarly, there were similar odds of reporting that DHT had helped them to track progress on a health-related goal (e.g., quitting smoking, losing weight, or increasing physical activity) (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.75 - 1.83; p = 0.491), and to make medical decisions (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.70 - 1.59; p = 0.797). However, they had lower rates of internet access and were less likely to use DHT for communicating with their healthcare providers. Conclusion: We found that rural residents are equally likely as urban residents to own and use DHT to manage their health. However, they were less likely to communicate with their health providers using DHT. With increasing use of DHT in healthcare, future research that targets reasons for geographical digital access disparities is warranted. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. (Copyright © 2023, Okobi et al.) |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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