Interactive nutrition education via a touchscreen: Is this technology well received by low-income Spanish-speaking parents?

Objective: To evaluate the usability of touchscreen mediated nutrition and feeding educational modules among low-income Latino immigrant parents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed March-August, 2010 in an outpatient pediatric setting among low-income Spanish-speaking parents of children < 3 years. Culturally-targeted educational modules focused on infant/toddler nutrition and feeding were delivered via touchscreen to participants in Spanish using a multimedia format including text, audio and pictures. Viewing of all modules lasted 25 minutes. Demographic and computer use data was collected. The outcomes assessed were perceived ease of use of the touchsreen and usefulness of the educational modules. Results: The majority of the eighty participants reported rarely/never using a computer (64%; n=51) and 46% reported ≤ 8th grade education. 92% of participants found the touchscreen 'easy'/'very easy' to use. Nearly all users found the modules 'useful' (95%) and 'easy' to understand (96%). Higher educated individuals were more likely to find the touchscreen 'very easy' versus 'easy' to use (Odds Ratio=3.67, 95% CI:1.18-11.43) and the modules 'very easy' to understand (OR=3.99, 95% CI:1.37-11.62). Conclusions: Despite low computer experience levels, participants perceived touchscreens and the content presented as highly usable. Ongoing evaluation of providing targeted health education via touchscreens in this population is indicated.