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Factors Associated with Telehealth Utilization among Older African Americans in South Los Angeles during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Tavonia Ekwegh

    (Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing (MMDSON), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Sharon Cobb

    (Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing (MMDSON), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Edward K. Adinkrah

    (Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Roberto Vargas

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Lucy W. Kibe

    (Physician Assistant Program, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Humberto Sanchez

    (Office of Research, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Joe Waller

    (Office of Research, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Hoorolnesa Ameli

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Mellie’s Bank Hospital, Tehran 1135933763, Iran)

  • Mohsen Bazargan

    (Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
    Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic transformed healthcare delivery with the expansive use of telemedicine. However, health disparities may result from lower adoption of telehealth among African Americans. This study examined how under-resourced, older African Americans with chronic illnesses use telehealth, including related sociodemographic and COVID-19 factors. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 150 middle-aged and older African Americans were recruited from faith-based centers from March 2021 to August 2022. Data collected included sociodemographics, comorbidities, technological device ownership, internet usage, and attitudes toward COVID-19 disease and vaccination. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models were conducted to identify factors associated with telehealth use. Results: Of the 150 participants, 32% had not used telehealth since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 75% reporting no home internet access and 38% having no cellular/internet network on their mobile device. Age, access to a cellular network on a mobile device, and wireless internet at home were significantly associated with the utilization of telehealth care. Higher anxiety and stress with an increased perceived threat of COVID-19 and positive attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination were associated with telehealth utilization. Discussion: Access and integration of telehealth services were highlighted as challenges for this population of African Americans. To reduce disparities, expansion of subsidized wireless internet access in marginalized communities is necessitated. Education outreach and training by healthcare systems and community health workers to improve uptake of telehealth currently and post-COVID-19 should be considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Tavonia Ekwegh & Sharon Cobb & Edward K. Adinkrah & Roberto Vargas & Lucy W. Kibe & Humberto Sanchez & Joe Waller & Hoorolnesa Ameli & Mohsen Bazargan, 2023. "Factors Associated with Telehealth Utilization among Older African Americans in South Los Angeles during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2675-:d:1055189
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mohsen Bazargan & James L. Smith & Paul Robinson & John Uyanne & Ruqayyah Abdulrahoof & Chika Chuku & Shervin Assari, 2019. "Chronic Respiratory Disease and Health-Related Quality of Life of African American Older Adults in an Economically Disadvantaged Area of Los Angeles," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Mohsen Bazargan & Margarita Loeza & Tavonia Ekwegh & Edward K. Adinkrah & Lucy W. Kibe & Sharon Cobb & Shervin Assari & Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi, 2021. "Multi-Dimensional Impact of Chronic Low Back Pain among Underserved African American and Latino Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Marc A Garcia & Patricia A Homan & Catherine García & Tyson H Brown & Deborah S Carr, 2021. "The Color of COVID-19: Structural Racism and the Disproportionate Impact of the Pandemic on Older Black and Latinx Adults [Racial disparities in mortality in the adult Hispanic population]," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(3), pages 75-80.
    4. Shervin Assari & James L. Smith & Marc A. Zimmerman & Mohsen Bazargan, 2019. "Cigarette Smoking among Economically Disadvantaged African-American Older Adults in South Los Angeles: Gender Differences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lucy W. Kibe & Mohsen Bazargan & Adaobi Bosah & Katrina M. Schrode & Yufu Kuo & Edward Andikrah & Magda Shaheen, 2023. "Diet Quality of Older African Americans: Impact of Knowledge and Perceived Threat of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-10, March.

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