WhatsApp and Wellness: Exploring the Motivations and Challenges in Health Literacy and Health Information Seeking Among African Immigrants

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate health information seeking behavior of African Immigrants in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Methodology: Survey research design was employed in this study. Web-based questionnaire was used to collect data from 32 participants who are members of a WhatsApp Group for African Immigrants in Vancouver BC. Descriptive statistics of simple percentage was used to analyze the data.

Findings: The study examined motivation for using WhatsApp as a source of health information seeking, familiarity with and affordability of healthcare plan in Vancouver BC, and the healthcare access challenges of African immigrants. While most respondents reported familiarity with the healthcare system in Vancouver, BC, only a few of them had a family physician, indicating a gap between perceived knowledge and practical engagement with healthcare professionals. Many participants relied on WhatsApp for health information; however, such platforms often provide only temporary solutions, underscoring the importance of professional healthcare consultations.

Limitations: The study’s participants were selected through purposive sampling which cannot be representative of the population as a whole. Also, using a Web-based questionnaire as a data collection instrument  and focusing on the participants who are members of a Whatsapp Group restricted the size of the sample.

Originality: This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the use of Social Media beyond mere social interaction. It also creates a call-to-action for healthcare stakeholders in multicultural societies on the need to rethink culturally-appropriate healthcare access.