Assessing the Reproductive Health-Related Information-Seeking Behavior of Low-Income Women: Describing a Two-Step Information-Seeking Process

Abstract

This paper explores the reproductive health-related information seeking of low-income women that has been found to be affected by digital divide disparities. A survey conducted with 70 low-income women explores what information sources women use for reproductive health-related information seeking, what process they go through to find information, and if they are using sources that they trust. The findings of this study detail a two-step information-seeking process that typically includes a preference for personal, informal sources. Women of this income group often rely upon sources that they do not consider credible. While there have been many studies on the end effects of a lack of accurate and accessible reproductive health information, little research has been conducted to examine the reproductive healthcare information-seeking patterns of women who live in poverty.