Health literacy and health information-seeking behavior of immigrants in South Korea.

Health disparities are a significant source of inequity between immigrants and native people in South Korea. The present study investigated how immigrants seek health information for their different purposes according to their health literacy ability and sociodemographic backgrounds. The study assessed immigrants' health literacy skills with the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) and conducted surveys (N = 310) in districts with high immigrant populations. Overall, there were significant associations between health literacy ability, sociodemographic characteristics, and health information-seeking behavior among participants. The findings of the study extend the literature by addressing the association between health literacy and health information-seeking behavior in diverse sociodemographic contexts. Understanding the dynamics between the three factors provides insights for developing effective health information services and public policies to mitigate health disparities experienced by immigrants, ensuring the critical roles of online health information and health professionals as preferred or credible sources. • REALM tests for health literacy ability and the survey questions were translated into seven different languages. • Health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics were associated with immigrants' health information-seeking behaviors. • Participants with higher health literacy were more likely to look to healthcare professionals for their first searches. • Nationality was significant in seeking personal sources from their home country for quality information or actual use. • Quality health information search is different from first searches, or searches for preferred sources, and actual use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]