Assessing the accessibility of Antenatal and Perinatal Web-based health information for individuals with low health literacy or migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse background

The internet is increasingly used to access information. Today many health-related information is available on the internet and in digital formats to facilitate convenient and wide-ranging access. However, most information is text-based and written at a level higher than recommended by the Australian Government. To promote health and wellbeing, health literacy is an integral part. Health literacy is defined as the ability to access, understand, judge and use health-related information to make informed decision about health, health behaviour and health care. Research has reported that people from vulnerable and marginalised background, with limited formal education and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are more likely to have limited health literacy. Pregnancy can be an exciting but also an overwhelming experience. This is more so the case for people with limited health literacy and for migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Many questions are likely to arise and the chance that information is searched on the internet is high, but whether relevant and evidence-based information is available and easily accessible is unknown. This project seeks to assess web-based antenatal and perinatal information for accessibility for individuals who have low health literacy and for individuals who are from culturally and linguistically diverse background. The student will need to search, identify and assess accessibility of Australian websites for information related to antenatal and perinatal care including in languages other than English. Some of the tasks included are: The student will learn how to develop a clear and comprehensive search strategy, systematically search and identify relevant websites, critically appraise and score access and findability of websites, and identify limitations while making recommendations based on findings. This process will strengthen the student’s ability to evaluate evidence objectively and will strengthen their academic writing, including the preparation of manuscripts suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals.