How Migrant Latinx Farmworkers Navigate Digital Health Information: A Qualitative Study

Abstract: Migrant Latinx farmworkers may experience high stress and elevated risks of illness and injury due to barriers to care. Limited data are available about how migrant Latinx farmworkers access health information. Therefore, the primary aim was to identify how they do so. Secondary aims assessed perceived trustworthiness of sources. Structured interviews were conducted with 16 migrant Latinx farmworkers across nine counties in Georgia. Audio recordings were transcribed and translated with Trint, then reviewed by two independent authors to resolve discrepancies. We applied both deductive and inductive coding to identify recurring themes. A mobile-first pattern emerged. Smartphones dominated health searches focused on pain, common acute conditions (e.g., colds, allergies), and chronic disease (e.g., diabetes). Participants primarily used Google, YouTube, TikTok, Mayo Clinic, and community forums (e.g., Reddit). Some preferred direct interaction. Reliability concerns prompted cross-verification by comparing sources, reviewing video comments, and consulting friends or health care providers.