Assessment of Low-Income Adults' Access to Technology: Implications for Nutrition Education

Abstract 

Objective

The main objective of this study was to investigate access and use of technologies such as the Internet among Indiana's low-income population. The secondary objective was to determine whether access and use of computers significantly differed by age, race, and/or education level.

Methods

Data were collected from low-income adult Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education participants for a 2-year period using a cross-sectional questionnaire about access and use of technology.

Results

Approximately 50% of the total respondents (n = 1,620) indicated that they had a working computer in their home, and of those, the majority (78%) had a high-speed Internet connection. Chi-square analysis revealed that younger adults who were white and had more education were more likely to have a computer (P < .001) and Internet.

Conclusions and Implications

The results of this study provide evidence that using Internet-based nutrition education in a low-income population is a viable and possibly cost-effective option.

Key Words: Internet, low-income, technology, computers, nutrition education