Digital Divide and Use of Digital Public Health Service
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Abstract
This research examines the digital divide in accessing digital public health services through a survey of 400 adults from Mae Hong Son, Nong Khai, Loei, and Yala provinces in Thailand. Statistical analysis was conducted using SEM. The study reveals a significant gap in accessing digital public health services, despite the widespread use of the internet. The proposed model fits the data well (GFI = 0.902, CFI = 0.943), underscoring the relevance of the issue. Path analysis indicates that usage motivation significantly impacts both the overall digital divide and the health-related digital divide (0.788 and 0.615, p < .01), while social motivation also plays a critical role (0.333, p < .05). The digital divide itself is a key causal factor for health disparities (0.780, p < .05), challenging the notion that internet access alone can ensure equity. Bridging this gap requires ensuring affordable internet access and adapting digital public health services for marginalized groups. Addressing these factors is a key to preventing the digital divide from exacerbating health inequities.
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References
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