The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48802

Philip Zazove, MD¹, Helen Meador, PhD², Daniel Gorenflo, PhD², Edward Saunders, PhD², and Holly Derry, MPH². (1) School of Medicine, University of Michigan, 7300 Dexter Ann ARbor Road, Dexter, MI 48130, 734-426-3910, pzaz@umich.edu, (2) School of Medicine, University of Michigan, 1018 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Objective/Methods: To report our findings regarding use of and comfort with computers in deaf and hard of hearing (D&HH) persons attending Deaf clubs in Michigan who are participating in an NIH study of the best way to disseminate cancer prevention information. As part of the data collection for this study, we ask questions about the respondents’ use of computers in addition to demographic, social and hearing-related variables. Findings: Approximately 32% of participants have ever used computers. The most common reason for not using was lack of access. Of those who do use computers, the most common reasons were for fun (19.4% of all respondents) and health care information (16%); few used it to shop, for work or email. Half of those who used computers used them to communicate with hearing people and 60% used them to communicate with other Deaf persons. Our respondents were 91% Caucasian and had an average age of 51; 60% were female, 68% were married, 55% had a Deaf spouse, 76% were unemployed, 77% had never gone past high school, 75% had a family income less than $25,000, and 88% considered themselves members of the Deaf community. Conclusions: Members of the Deaf community are a subset of D&HH persons who don’t use computers much. Until this changes, health education efforts must focus on alternative means of communication with these persons.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will

• Better recognizee and understand the unique challenges inherent in conductin health care and health services research with D&HH persons 2)Have a better sense of what approaches might work best in communicating health information to these individuals and why
• Be able to apply their new knowledge in developing more effective ways to interact with D&HH persons in their work setting
• Be able to apply their new knowledge in developing more efective ways to interact with D&HH persons in their work setting

Keywords: Deaf, Deaf Patients

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.