HOW IS HEALTH INFORMATION SOUGHT?: EXPLORING HEALTH INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOURS AMONG FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKERS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This study explores the health information seeking behaviours of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. While previous studies have examined the health information seeking behaviours of foreign domestic workers, there is a lack of literature that explore such concepts in a local context. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 foreign domestic workers in Singapore. Interview transcripts were then examined through grounded theory. The study revealed that foreign domestic workers had a higher tendency to search for health information for themselves as compared to on behalf of others. They were more likely to seek health information to deal with health problems than learn preventive health behaviours. Employers were the most important information source and provided significant informational, emotional and instrumental support. Friends were also identified as a significant source of health information and emotional support as foreign domestic workers felt more comfortable asking their friends for information and assistance. Family was the least popular source of health information and emotional support as many foreign domestic workers did not want their family members to be anxious about their health problems. Governmental and non-governmental organisations provided health information and emotional support especially for mental health issues. Social media platforms and online search engines were utilised by foreign domestic workers to search for health information, but many preferred the former. In terms of social media platforms, many foreign domestic workers favoured YouTube and Facebook groups for the foreign domestic worker community. The study also identified the increasing popularity of medical influencers on social media. Although foreign domestic workers had a high level of technical literacy and a reasonable level of socio-emotional literacy, the study highlighted the need to improve the cognitive literacy of some foreign domestic workers as they were not able to recognise false information. Some foreign domestic workers were also less health conscious and did not seek medical help even when they were suffering from health issues. Health consciousness of employers had a positive influence on the health information seeking behaviours of foreign domestic workers. Language barriers were a significant problem for foreign domestic workers as they were unable to understand the profound medical terms. Many were reliant on their employers to search for health information on their behalf and explain to them. Such language differences were also present in the intercultural friendships between foreign domestic workers from different countries. Self-treatment methods, in particular home remedies, were favoured by some foreign domestic workers as they saw them as healthier and more natural options. This could also be attributed to their different cultural backgrounds and the lack of financial capability to purchase proper medication. As such, it is important that employers act as a reliable source of health information and support for foreign domestic workers. The Ministry of Manpower should partner healthcare providers to educate employers about essential healthcare information for their foreign domestic workers. The study also provides the need for governmental and non-governmental organisations to launch programs aimed at improving the cognitive literacy of foreign domestic workers. This could be done by leveraging popular social media platform YouTube, medical influencers and Facebook groups. To encourage foreign domestic workers to be more health conscious and aware about the dangers of self-treatment, government and non-governmental groups should ramp up health education efforts for FDWs.