Nancy Atkinson|Sandra L. Saperstein|Sharon M. Desmond|Robert S. Gold|Amy Billing|Jing Tian
Rural eHealth Nutrition Education for Limited-Income Families: An Iterative and User-Centered Design Approach
University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland, College Park|Dean College|University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland, Baltimore
adult women living rural areas high rates obesity although rural populations deemed hard reach internetbased programming becoming viable strategy rural internet access increases however people able get online may find information designed needs especially harder reach populations results content gap many usersusercentered design methodology used create appropriate online materials research conducted apply usercentered approach design development health promotion website lowincome mothers living rural marylandthree iterative rounds concept testing conducted 1 identify name content needs site assess concerns registering healthrelated website 2 determine tone look website confirm content functionality 3 determine usability acceptability first two rounds involved focus group small group discussions third round involved usability testing individual women used prototype systemthe formative research revealed women limited incomes enthusiastic website providing nutrition physical activity information targeted incomes tailored personal goals needs priority content areas identified budgeting local resources information content could used children women able use prototype system effectivelythis research demonstrated usercentered design strategies help close content gap atrisk audiences