DOCSLIB.ORG

Digital Health Literacy Intervention to Support Maternal, Child

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Digital Health Literacy Intervention to Support Maternal, Child Open access Protocol BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045163 on 2 March 2021. Downloaded from Digital health literacy intervention to support maternal, child and family health in primary healthcare settings of Pakistan during the age of coronavirus: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial Sara Rizvi Jafree,1 Nadia Bukhari,2 Anam Muzamill,3 Faiza Tasneem,4 Florian Fischer 5,6 To cite: Jafree SR, Bukhari N, ABSTRACT Strengths and limitations of this study Muzamill A, et al. Digital health Introduction There is a need to continue primary literacy intervention to support healthcare services through digital communication for ► This is the first randomised controlled trial in maternal, child and family disadvantaged women living in underdeveloped areas health in primary healthcare Pakistan investigating the effects of a digital health of Pakistan, especially in the age of the coronavirus settings of Pakistan during literacy intervention for hygiene and sanitation, and pandemic, social distancing and lockdown of communities. the age of coronavirus: study coronavirus awareness and prevention, tailored to This project will be the first of its kind in aiming to protocol for a randomised the needs of disadvantaged women of reproductive implement a digital health literacy intervention, using controlled trial. BMJ Open years. 2021;11:e045163. doi:10.1136/ smartphone and internet, to disadvantaged women ► We aim to use a two-step approach to pretesting bmjopen-2020-045163 through female community healthcare workers. Improved and then establishing an intervention; the findings health literacy in women of reproductive years is known to ► Prepublication history and will be relevant for digital health literacy interven- promote maternal, child and family health overall. additional material for this paper tions in general, but particularly in times of the coro- is available online. To view these Methods and analysis The study will include a baseline navirus pandemic, where social distancing hinders http://bmjopen.bmj.com/ survey, a pre- and post- test survey and a 3- month files, please visit the journal the provision of health services to women depen- lasting intervention on (1) hygiene and prevention and online (http:// dx. doi. org/ 10. dent on primary health services in their community. 1136/ bmjopen- 2020- 045163). (2) coronavirus awareness and prevention. Women of ► The study will be an important contribution to the reproductive years will be sampled from disadvantaged knowledge about efficacy of digital health literacy Received 25 September 2020 areas across the four provinces of Pakistan (Baluchistan, interventions to support sustainable development Revised 15 February 2021 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh), and the selection Accepted 23 February 2021 goals for maternal and child health. criteria will be poor, semiliterate or illiterate, belonging ► We anticipate cultural barriers in gaining permission to underdeveloped neighbourhoods devoid of universal for women’s participation in the study and the en- healthcare coverage and dependent on free primary gagement with smartphones and internet, especially on September 28, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. health services. A target of 1000 women will comprise in more conservative and inaccessible regions. the sample, with 500 women each assigned randomly to ► There are limitations to generalisability due to poten- the intervention and control groups. Analysis of variance tial bias from including women who gave consent to and multivariate analysis will be used for analysing the participate in the study and also because outcomes intervention’s effects compared with the control group. will be measured based on subjective perceptions Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval for this study of respondents. has been received from the Internal Review Board of the Forman Christian College University (reference number: IRB-252/06-2020). Results will be published in academic © Author(s) (or their journals of repute and dissemination to the international has estimated that 1 in 10 South Asians face employer(s)) 2021. Re- use health challenges, multimorbidity and risk permitted under CC BY-NC. No scientific community and stakeholders will also be planned commercial re- use. See rights through workshops. of infectious disease; with each additional 1 2 and permissions. Published by Trial registration number NCT04603092. morbidity carrying greater risk of mortality. BMJ. Pakistan’s healthcare sector is known to be For numbered affiliations see under- resourced and inefficient, with health end of article. INTRODUCTION budget allocation standing at less than 1.5% 3 Correspondence to South Asia is home to 25% of the world of gross domestic product. Primary health- Dr Florian Fischer; population, the majority of who are poor and care services in Pakistan are not adequate or florian. fischer1@ charite. de without universal health coverage. Research well planned, contributing to the infectious Jafree SR, et al. BMJ Open 2021;11:e045163. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045163 1 Open access BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045163 on 2 March 2021. Downloaded from disease burden in the country and unfavourable indi- Aim of the study cators for maternal and child health.4 There is critical The study’s aim is to develop and implement a digital need for more integrated and innovative planning for health literacy intervention to disadvantaged women in primary health services, where identification of diseases, the areas of (1) hygiene and sanitation and (2) corona- treatment referrals and prevention is possible. According virus awareness and prevention. The study includes a base- to its number of inhabitants, Pakistan is the sixth largest line survey and a pre- and post- test survey. The 3- month country worldwide,5 with more than a 100 million women lasting digital health literacy intervention, using a smart- living there. Local research has confirmed that women phone and internet, will include four components of (A) in the country are suffering from a quadruple disease video tutorials, (B) one- on- one training for improving burden of (1) communicable/infectious diseases, (2) awareness and practices, (C) group training, and (D) non- communicable diseases, (3) accidents, injuries and one- on- one training for a self- management chart. The violence, and (4) multimorbidity.6 7 Additionally, women data will be collected by community healthcare workers from lower and middle-income countries (LMIC) may and the participants of this study will be disadvantaged suffer from health challenges and infection risk more women, defined as poor, semiliterate or illiterate and than men.1 It has also been estimated that women from belonging to underdeveloped neighbourhoods devoid unfavourable sociodemographic backgrounds and living of universal healthcare coverage and dependent on free in deprived areas experience health challenges and primary health services. multimorbidity 15 years earlier than people from more affluent backgrounds.8 An additional and important consideration is that METHODS women from Pakistan suffer from regressive cultural Study design norms and community neglect. This is why most women A randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted 9 in Pakistan are unemployed, illiterate or semiliterate, providing a digital health literacy intervention for (1) 6 crippled by poverty and thus increasingly vulnerable to hygiene and sanitation and (2) coronavirus awareness multiple health burdens. Several sociocultural burdens and prevention. A summary of the proposed steps and adversely influence the health of women of reproductive the timeline is provided in table 1. We expect to conclude years in Pakistan, including low health literacy, under- the study within 5 months, with a cushion of 15 days. The nutrition, early marriage, lack of birth spacing and a study follows three consecutive steps. At the first step, culture that prevents health-seeking behaviour. Though baseline data will be collected about the health challenges it is assumed that health challenges affect people at faced by women living in disadvantaged communities. more advanced years, pregnant women in LMICs are At the second step, a pretest survey will be administered at an increased risk of health burdens and infectious to both the control and intervention groups assessing http://bmjopen.bmj.com/ 1 2 10 diseases. Pregnant women are not merely at risk of their health literacy. A health literacy booklet will be mortality themselves, but there is concern that their child provided to both the control and intervention groups 11 is also at heightened risk. after the pretest. In addition, the intervention group will The greatest concern for LMICs and Pakistan is that receive an intervention using digital means, smartphone women of reproductive years who are illiterate and semi- and internet, through a 3-month period for promoting literate are not able to manage health, or adopt protec- health literacy related to: (1) hygiene and sanitation and tive behaviour, due to lack of awareness and education, (2) coronavirus awareness and prevention. At third and and difficulty in understanding instructions by physicians final step, both the control and intervention groups will on September 28, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. or public health experts. Research suggests that health be delivered a post- test to assess the differences between services provided to women of reproductive years in intervention and non- intervention
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Increasing Health Literacy Among Older Adults: Why It Matters
    INCREASING HEALTH LITERACY AMONG OLDER ADULTS: WHY IT MATTERS Prior to the pandemic, we were beginning to prioritize the need for shared-decision making between older care-recipients and care-providers, to empower patients to make well-informed choices. As we attempt to keep everyone informed about the coronavirus public health crisis, it has become even more important to assess and increase health literacy among older adults. Seniors are more vulnerable to contract the coronavirus and to become ill after being exposed. It is crucial for seniors to understand symptoms and safety precautions. Also, they need to be aware of when it is necessary to go to health care providers or to the emergency room (including for reasons other than the coronavirus). Definition of Health Literacy Health literacy is defined by the CDC as the “degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions.” Health literacy levels are associated with a variety of factors, including education, culture, age, and socioeconomic status. Lower levels of health literacy are linked with advanced age. This is related to some changes associated with aging as well as with impairment in sensory status (hearing, vision impairment), with physical health status, and with cognitive processing limitations. Health literacy is a complicated concept. Familiarity with the following play in to the level of health literacy: basic mathematical skills, knowledge about health insurance options, reading comprehension, communication skills, understanding about financial matters, skill in interpreting bar graphs, adeptness with computer use. Those who have lower health literacy levels tend to come into the health care system when they are more ill.
    [Show full text]
  • Health Literacy and Preventive Behaviors Modify the Association Between Pre-Existing Health Conditions and Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms: a Multi-Institutional Survey
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Health Literacy and Preventive Behaviors Modify the Association between Pre-Existing Health Conditions and Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms: A Multi-Institutional Survey 1,2, 3, 4 5,6 7,8 Tan T. Nguyen y, Nga T. Le y , Minh H. Nguyen , Linh V. Pham , Binh N. Do , Hoang C. Nguyen 9,10, Huu C. Nguyen 11,12, Tung H. Ha 13, Hung K. Dao 14, Phuoc B. Nguyen 15, Manh V. Trinh 16, Thinh V. Do 17, Hung Q. Nguyen 18, Thao T. P. Nguyen 19,20 , Nhan P. T. Nguyen 21, Cuong Q. Tran 22,23, Khanh V. Tran 24, Trang T. Duong 25, Thu T. M. Pham 26,27 and Tuyen Van Duong 28,* 1 Department of Orthopedics, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho 941-17, Vietnam; [email protected] 2 Director Office, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Can Tho 941-17, Vietnam 3 Allied Health & Human Performance, Higher Degree Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; [email protected] 4 International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110-31, Taiwan; [email protected] 5 Department of Pulmonary & Cardiovascular Diseases, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Hai Phong 042-12, Vietnam; [email protected] 6 Director Office, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Hai Phong 042-12, Vietnam 7 Department of Infectious Diseases, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi 121-08, Vietnam; [email protected] 8 Division of Military Science, Military Hospital 103, Hanoi 121-08, Vietnam 9 Director
    [Show full text]
  • We've Got Your Pre-Reg Year Covered
    We’ve got your pre-reg year covered Don’t forget RPS members receive at least 25% off, simply enter your membership number at the checkout. Order online at www.pharmpress.com/pre-registration Books to support you through Pharmacy Registration Clinical Pharmacy Pocket Assessment Questions Companion NEW EDITION Second edition Second edition Edited by Nadia Bukhari, Oksana Pyzik Edited by Alistair Howard Gray, Jane Wright, Lynn Bruce, Jennifer Oakley Written in compliance with the current GPhC registration exam guidelines, this essential title helps students prepare A handy pocket sized A-Z book that offers quick and reliable for their registration exam. With 400 brand new questions, answers to everyday pharmacy questions. This edition is it features single best answer, extended MCQs and extremely useful for trainees, whether you work in a hospital calculation questions. or community setting. ISBN: 978 0 85711 278 1 • £32 ISBN: 978 0 85711 157 9 • £32 Paperback • 180 x 100mm • 568pp • 2015 Paperback • 216 x 138mm • 224pp • Feb 2017 BNF Hospital Pre-registration March and September Pharmacist Training Joint Formulary Committee Aamer Safdar, Shirley Ip One of the essential references you will need to understand With tips, hints, past experiences and anecdotes from the and navigate ahead of your exam. Published each March authors in their roles as pre-registration tutors, this accessible and September, the BNF provides up-to-date guidance on book provides encouragement and guidance throughout the prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines. pre-registration process. It covers topics such as looking for It reflects current best practice as well as legal and your first job, making the transition from student to professional guidelines relating to the use of medicines.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Health Literacy in Health Outcomes and Health Disparities
    The Role of Health Literacy in Health Outcomes and Health Disparities Michael Paasche-Orlow, MD MA MPH Associate Professor of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine PEPH Webinar: Environmental Health Literacy Literacy Literacy is inherently a functional concept i.e., it is competence in a set of skills relating to a specific domain of human endeavors. Issues About the Concept of Literacy Basic literacy skills (reading, writing, arithmetic) very useful However, really is no one Literacy The demands are contextual Definition of Health Literacy “The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.” Healthy People 2010 Definition of Health Literacy “The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information ,and services, services and needed skills neededto make to make appropriateinformed health health decisions decisions.” and actions. Healthy People 2010 Understand how to use glucometer Interpret blood glucose results Obtain information about an illness Participate in discussions of informed consent Enroll in health insurance plan Conceptual Domains for HL Basic Literacy Skills Prose, Document, Quantitative Self-care tasks Disease specific Interactional Navigation place your bets Health Literacy in America National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) National household survey, 2003, N~20,000 Prose, document, and quantitative literacy English From http://nces.ed.gov/naal/
    [Show full text]
  • Authentic Youth Engagement in Environmental Health Research and Advocacy
    University of Kentucky UKnowledge Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications Health, Behavior & Society 2-23-2021 Authentic Youth Engagement in Environmental Health Research and Advocacy Kathryn M. Cardarelli University of Kentucky, [email protected] Melinda J. Ickes University of Kentucky, [email protected] Luz Huntington-Moskos University of Louisville Craig Wilmhoff Buckhorn High School Angela Larck University of Cincinnati See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/healthbehavior_facpub Part of the Public Health Commons Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Repository Citation Cardarelli, Kathryn M.; Ickes, Melinda J.; Huntington-Moskos, Luz; Wilmhoff, Craig; Larck, Angela; Pinney, Susan M.; and Hahn, Ellen J., "Authentic Youth Engagement in Environmental Health Research and Advocacy" (2021). Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications. 35. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/healthbehavior_facpub/35 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Health, Behavior & Society at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authentic Youth Engagement in Environmental Health Research and Advocacy Digital Object Identifier (DOI) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042154 Notes/Citation Information Published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, v. 18, issue 4, 2154. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
    [Show full text]
  • Adolescent Menstrual Health Literacy in Low, Middle and High-Income Countries: a Narrative Review
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Review Adolescent Menstrual Health Literacy in Low, Middle and High-Income Countries: A Narrative Review Kathryn Holmes 1,* , Christina Curry 1, Sherry 1 , Tania Ferfolja 1, Kelly Parry 2, Caroline Smith 2,3, Mikayla Hyman 2 and Mike Armour 2,3 1 Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; [email protected] (C.C.); [email protected] (S.); [email protected] (T.F.) 2 NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; [email protected] (K.P.); [email protected] (C.S.); [email protected] (M.H.); [email protected] (M.A.) 3 Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +64247360252 Abstract: Background: Poor menstrual health literacy impacts adolescents’ quality of life and health outcomes across the world. The aim of this systematic review was to identify concerns about menstrual health literacy in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). Methods: Relevant social science and medical databases were searched for peer-reviewed papers published from January 2008 to January 2020, leading to the identification of 61 relevant studies. Results: A thematic analysis of the data revealed that LMICs report detrimental impacts on Citation: Holmes, K.; Curry, C.; adolescents in relation to menstrual hygiene and cultural issues, while in HICs, issues related to pain Sherry; Ferfolja, T.; Parry, K.; Smith, C.; Hyman, M.; Armour, M.
    [Show full text]
  • Addressing Low Health Literacy to Achieve Racial and Ethnic Health Equity
    HealthHedge Funds Literacy Conference2/28/04 October 2009 Addressing Low Health Literacy to Achieve Racial and Ethnic Health Equity Anne Beal, MD, MPH President Aetna Foundation, Inc. Health Minorities Are More Likely Literacy Conference to Have Diabetes % With Diabetes Diagnosed Undiagnosed 20 Age Adjusted Percent of Population With Diabetes, 1999-2002 18 16 14.8 13.6 14 11.2 12 10.5 9.4 10 8 8 6.6 5.3 6 3.9 3.5 4 2.9 2.8 2 0 Total White Black Mexican Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Health, United States, 2005 2 Health Minorities Have More Complications Literacy Conference Resulting from Diabetes Relative Risk of Amputation Resulting from Diabetes, 1998 2 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.2 1 1 * 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.2 0 White Black Hispanic AIAN API * Whites Are Referent Group Source: Young et al. Effects of Ethnicity and Nephropathy on Lower-extremity Amputation Risk Among Diabetic Veterans. Diabetes Care, 2003; 26:495-501 3 Health Minorities Have Higher Death Rates Literacy Conference Due to Diabetes Age Adjusted Death Rate per 100,000 60 49.5 50 43.2 40 35.6 30 22.2 20 17.4 10 0 White Black Hispanic AIAN API Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Vital Statistics System Health, United States, 2005 4 Health Literacy What Causes Health Disparities? Conference Patient Literacy Co-Morbid Conditions Ease of Lifestyle Changes Quality of Healthcare Cultural Factors Physiologic Response to Meds Environmental Factors Patient
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Health Literacy
    Understanding Health Literacy Implications• for Medicine and Public Health EDITORS Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD Jonathan B. VanGeest, PhD Claire C. Wang, MD SECTION EDITORS Julie A. Gazmararian, MPH, PhD Ruth M. Parker, MD Rima E. Rudd, ScD Debra L. Rater, DrPH Dean Schillinger, MD 15- Literacy Demands in Health Care Settings: The Patient Perspective Rima E. Rudd, MSPH, SeD; Diane Renzulli, MSPH; Anne Pereira, MD,MPH; and Lawren Daltroy, DrPHt unctional literacy assessments, as discussed in the previous chap- Fters, measure an adult's ability to use the written word to accomplish specific tasks. Materials used in these assessments are drawn from many different contexts to represent the types of tasks adults might be expected to perform in everyday life. Findings from the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) indicate that 90 million adults, almost all of whom can read, have difficulty using the written word to accomplish everyday tasks with consistency and accuracy.l,2 Nonetheless, our industrialized nation is an environment that assumes the population has high levels ofliteracy. Signs and bill- boards are ubiquitous and include place markers, advertisements, and warnings. Streets, public squares, buildings, agencies, and institutions are named and numbered. The inside hallways and offices of government programs and service agencies are replete with signs and postings. US adults are surrounded by the written word in public locations and within public and private institutions. They are expected to use reading, writing, and mathematical skills to locate places, follow posted and oral directions and instructions, and complete needed forms.3 For example, consider the demanding environment of a community-based social security office: The Social Security Office is located on a very large and busy street.
    [Show full text]
  • The Health Literacy of America's Adults
    The Health Literacy of America’s Adults Results From the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy U.S. Department of Education NCES 2006–483 The Health Literacy of America’s Adults Results From the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy U.S. Department of Education NCES 2006–483 September 2006 Mark Kutner Elizabeth Greenberg Ying Jin Christine Paulsen American Institutes for Research Sheida White Project Officer National Center for Education Statistics U.S. Department of Education Margaret Spellings Secretary Institute of Education Sciences Grover J.Whitehurst Director National Center for Education Statistics Mark Schneider Commissioner The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data related to education in the United States and other nations. It fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report full and complete statistics on the condition of education in the United States; conduct and publish reports and spe- cialized analyses of the meaning and significance of such statistics; assist state and local education agencies in improving their statistical systems; and review and report on education activities in foreign countries. NCES activities are designed to address high-priority education data needs; provide consistent, reliable, complete, and accu- rate indicators of education status and trends; and report timely, useful, and high-quality data to the U.S. Department of Education, the Congress, the states, other education policymakers, practitioners, data users, and the general public. Unless specifically noted, all information contained herein is in the public domain. We strive to make our products available in a variety of formats and in language that is appropriate to a variety of audiences.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2019 TABLE of CONTENTS
    Hamdard University Islamabad Campus Annual Report 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page No The Founder 1 Message from Director General 3 Vision of Hamdard University 4 Mission of Hamdard University 4 Hamdard University Islamabad Campus 4 Highlights of Year 2019 5 HUIC Organizational Chart 6 Academic Performance 7 Admissions 2019 7 Recognition of Academic Programs 7 Number of Graduates 8 Library at HUIC 9 Office of Student Affairs 12 Hamdard Institute of Management Sciences 15 Hamdard Institute of Engineering and Technology 21 Hamdard Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences 27 HAMDARD UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD CAMPUS ANNUAL REPORT 2019 The Founder Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said (1920-1998) established Hamdard Pakistan in 1948. Within a few years, the herbal medical products of Hamdard became household names. The phenomenal success of Hamdard products is a legendary part of the business history of Pakistan. The name Hamdard however acquired a still wider meaning, when Hakim Mohammed Said founded Hamdard University in 1991. The establishment of a university which could enliven the intellectual tradition of the educational institutions of the golden era of Muslim civilization had always been his most cherished dream.In fact it was the central point towards which all his endeavours were directed. The actual appearance of the university was just the culmination of a long dedicated and continued effort spanning his whole life. However, apart from being a great educational leader, Hakim Mohammed Said was also one of the finest exponents of eastern medicine, who had treated millions of patients from all over the world including Pakistan, Europe,Africa and the Middle East by the time of his martyrdom (Shahadat) in October 1998.
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Health Literacy for Health Equity
    IMPROVING HEALTH LITERACY FOR HEALTH EQUITY 1 CONTENTS Key messages 3 Introduction 4 1.What is literacy? 5 2.What is health literacy? 5 3.Why is health literacy important? 9 4.Health literacy and health inequalities 13 5.Strengthening heath literacy to reduce health inequalities 18 6. What works to improve health literacy and reduce health disparities 19 6.Areas for further research 36 Conclusion 37 References 2 Health Literacy: Key Messages Health literacy incorporates language, literacy and numeracy skills that are used in health settings and for managing health, as well as the ability to access, understand, evaluate, use and navigate health information and services. A person’s health literacy depends both on their own abilities, as well as the efforts of health systems to make their services and information clear and accessible. Health literacy is associated with the social determinants of health, and also has an independent association with some health outcomes and long-term conditions. Some population groups – particularly older people, migrants and ethnic minority groups, disabled people, people with long-term illnesses, and people from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds with limited educational skills - are disproportionately affected by both limited general literacy and health literacy. Improving the health literacy of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups can reduce health inequalities because research suggests that health literacy plays a larger role among those with lower education than among those with higher education, in terms of health outcomes. To improve the health literacy of people with low literacy, the following strategies are recommended: 1. Make health information as clear and accessible as possible - simplifying materials using plain and direct language, pictures and symbols.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing and Addressing Health Literacy
    2/19/2018 Assessing and Addressing Health Literacy Assessing and Addressing Health Literacy Sandy Cornett, PhD, RN Abstract The ability to communicate effectively with patients who have low health literacy depends on our ability to recognize this problem and to create a patient-centered and shame-free healthcare environment. Because of the shame and embarrassment these patients experience, they often use their well-developed coping skills to mask their limited literacy. Although a number of reading- and comprehension-assessment tools are available, there is debate whether or not these tools should be used clinically. This article provides guidance in regard to establishing an environment that promotes health literacy, assessing health literacy levels, utilizing strategies to increase health literacy, evaluating the learning that has occurred, and incorporating health literacy concepts into the nursing curriculum. Citation: Cornett, S., (Sept. 30, 2009) "Assessing and Addressing Health Literacy" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in NursingVol. 14, No. 3, Manuscript 2. DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol14No03Man02 Keywords: assessing health literacy, evaluating learning, health literacy enhancement, healthcare system navigation, guidelines for plain language materials, low health literacy cues, measuring low health literacy, Newest Vital Sign (NVS), oral communication, plain language, printed communication, photonovela, Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), teach back, Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA), visuals in low health literacy materials Although healthcare professionals generally assume that the health explanations and instructions given to patients and families are readily understood, in reality these instructions are frequently misunderstood, sometimes resulting in serious errors. A common reason for misunderstanding health instructions may be the patient’s low health literacy skills.
    [Show full text]