1. State the researched preferences of health information sources for Latino adult study
participants in a Mid-western area.
2. Describe whether there is a relationship between health literacy levels and
acculturation or other demographic variables for the participants in this study.
Purpose: As the local Latino community in the Midwest continues to grow at a rapid pace, health educators and other health professionals find themselves without sufficient information to serve the community. Currently, the literature on health information sources and health literacy levels for Latinos in the Midwest is sparse. The research literature documents that racial/ethnic disparities in health exist and members of minority groups suffer disproportionately from chronic illnesses and experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Differences in healthcare access also play a role in health disparities. Improvement of health status by addressing health disparities is a major role of health promotion and education professionals. Knowing where people turn for health information (sources) and their ability to understand and apply it (health literacy) is instrumental to developing successful health education/promotion programs.
Methods: This study explored both areas and used validated subscales for measuring acculturation (Bi-dimensional Acculturation Scale) and health literacy in English (Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine) and in Spanish (Short- Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults). It used both qualitative (six focus groups, (n=14 men, and n=19 women) and quantitative methods (n= 190 surveys) to determine a working knowledge of the sources of health information resources and the functional health literacy levels of the population subgroup.
Results: (pending) Focus group data; survey instrument data which includes descriptive results; acculturation subscale; English health literacy levels; Spanish health literacy levels; analysis of relationships between measured variables.
Conclusion: Armed with this knowledge, health educators can better channel health promotion resources optimally for successful outreach.