Chinese Urban Hui Muslims' Access to and Evaluation of Cardiovascular Diseases-Related Health Information from...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Understanding health information access is crucial for targeted health promotion, especially among minority populations.
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a significant public health challenge globally and in China.
• The Hui Muslim community in China has unique cultural and religious contexts that may influence health information seeking behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the primary sources of cardiovascular disease (CVD) health information utilized by urban Hui Muslims.
• To examine how urban Hui Muslims evaluate the credibility and preference of various health information sources.
• To compare the health information-seeking behaviors of Hui Muslims with the Han Chinese population.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered via mobile devices to collect data from urban Hui Muslims.
• Comparative data was collected from the Han Chinese population, the dominant ethnic group in China.
• Statistical analysis was employed to compare information sources and trust levels between the two groups.

Main Results:

• Urban Hui Muslims predominantly accessed health information through mediated sources, whereas Han Chinese primarily used interpersonal sources for cardiovascular disease (CVD) information.
• Both Hui Muslims and Han Chinese expressed the highest trust and preference for information from health organizations, doctors, and healthcare providers.
• While religious leaders' information was least trusted by both groups, Hui Muslims showed significantly greater positive regard for religious authority compared to Han Chinese.

Conclusions:

• Health information promoters in China should tailor strategies to leverage mediated sources for effectively reaching urban Hui Muslims with cardiovascular disease (CVD) information.
• Acknowledging and potentially integrating trusted community figures, while emphasizing professional medical sources, could enhance health communication efficacy.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering ethnic and cultural nuances in designing public health interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management.