Examining motivation factors for African American students’ use of consumer wearables

PURPOSE: This study was initiated to examine factors that motivate African American students who use wearable devices at an HBCU in Mississippi. METHOD: We conducted a correlational research study on undergraduate and graduate students from a southern USA university. The stratified random sample comprised a total of 239 students. The responses of the students were analyzed using the Fisher exact test to determine whether or not there was a significant association between the categorical demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, and student classification) and the students’ motivation for using a wearable device. RESULTS: Students used wearables for one main reason, to help them increase their awareness of their health status because they understand the importance of tracking their health metrics to boost their health status and reduce risk factors for developing chronic diseases. Students also demonstrated that they understand the value of tracking health information, such as heart rate and blood pressure, as a way to reduce the prevalence and impact of risk factors that can lead to chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Wearables enable individuals to regularly observe, measure, and record their physical status and physiological measures, and facilitate medication adherence by enabling individuals to maintain their prescribed medication regimen adequately. The data collected and stored through these wearables can provide data that will be useful for medical personnel in their treatment of patients and in developing strategies for prevention and intervention for the larger community.