Use of an interactive, faith-based kiosk by congregants of four predominantly, African-American churches in a metropolitan area

Chronic diseases are prevalent in ethnic communities. Churches represent a potent resource for targeted health promotion. A faith-based kiosk was developed as an informational tool and placed in four predominantly (>80%) African-American churches. Congregants were surveyed to describe kiosk-use, kiosk-user characteristics, health status, and self-reported behavior changes attributed to the kiosk. We analyzed 1,573 questionnaires. Mean age of respondents was 46.4 years and >70% were women. "Older" congregations (mean age >= 46.1 years) had more reports of diabetes (p = 0.002) and heart diseases (p = 0.01) than younger churches (mean age <= 44.1), whereas asthma was more prevalent in the latter (p < 0.001). Prevalence of obesity (40%) was similar across churches (p = 0.570). Kiosk-use was reported by 420 (26.7%) respondents. Compared to non-users, kiosk-users were >40 years (p < 0.001), and reported >two health conditions, adjusted Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) = 1.43 (1.0-2.0), p = 0.05. Male kiosk-users preferred to select disease-specific content, aOR = 1.87 (1.10-3.17), p = 0.02, while females tended to select information about supportive community resources, aOR = 0.49 (0.23-1.04), p = 0.062. Knowledge of kiosk-user characteristics and the "health status" of a congregation, provide an opportunity for targeted, church-based health promotion.