Characterizing Health Literacy Among Spanish Language-Preferring Latinos Ages 50-75.
Shannon M Christy, Lakeshia A Cousin, Steven K Sutton and 7 others
PMID 33990120WHAT IT FOUND
53% of 76 Spanish-preferring Latino patients aged 50-75 reported difficulty understanding written health information.
Lower cancer worry, lower religious beliefs, and higher education were linked with better understanding or confidence with forms.
Key findings
0153% reported difficulty with written health information and were at risk for low health literacy.
0225% were at risk for low health literacy concerning completing health forms.
03Lower cancer worry and lower religious beliefs were linked with adequate health literacy for understanding written health information, and higher education was linked with adequate health literacy for completing health forms.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 76 patients were analyzed, and the logistic regression analyses were underpowered. The sample came from two clinics in Southwest Florida and included only patients already receiving care, so it may not apply to other regions, clinic types, or people not accessing care. Health literacy was self-reported and measured with two reading and writing questions, so it may miss other health literacy skills and may be affected by shame or social desirability. The survey was read aloud by a research coordinator, which may have affected responses. Health beliefs were specific to colorectal cancer screening, not general health beliefs. The analysis used baseline data from a pilot trial, not the trial's intervention outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflicts of interest. The paper is listed as supported by NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these associations as causes of better health literacy. This was a baseline analysis of 76 patients, and the analyses were underpowered.