Project description:BackgroundPeople with HIV (PWH) have complex needs, and those with limited health literacy consistently have poorer HIV-related knowledge and health outcomes. One strategy to facilitate better outcomes for PWH is the inclusion of community health workers (CHWs) into care teams. This cohort study examines the effect of health literacy on clinical outcomes and utilization of CHW services among PWH enrolled in a CHW intervention. The secondary aim is to characterize most common purposes of CHW encounters.MethodsPWH (n = 209) enrolled in a CHW intervention with completed 6-month follow-up evaluation visits were included. Health literacy level was measured at baseline with the BRIEF tool and categorized into inadequate, marginal, and adequate health literacy. Adjusted logistic regressions assessed the effect of health literacy on viral load suppression, HIV primary care visits at 6-month follow-up, CHW utilization and purpose of CHW encounter. Purpose of CHW encounters included logistical support, accompany to appointment, transportation coordination, concrete services, coaching, and emotional support. Linear regression assessed the association between purpose of CHW encounters and CHW utilization.ResultsIndividuals with inadequate health literacy were more likely to receive coaching from CHWs (p = 0.029), and individuals with marginal health literacy were more likely to have an HIV primary care visit at 6 months (p = 0.044). Individuals receiving transportation coordination, concrete services, coaching, and emotional support had more total CHW encounters.ConclusionsPurpose of encounter was highly correlated with frequency of CHW encounters, while health literacy status was not. This suggests individuals receiving these services require more assistance from CHWs, regardless of health literacy level. Training CHWs to conduct comprehensive social needs assessment and screening for risk factors at the initial visit with clients can identify resources and guide CHW service delivery as part of the care team.
Project description:IntroductionThe promotion of health literacy of the population in a situation of migration, in the community, is a fundamental field of intervention in health promotion, for the reduction of inequalities in access to health care services. It is increasingly necessary to make health care services more equitable for migrant populations. The aim of the study was to characterize the level of health literacy of the population in a migrant situation, attending a primary health care unit in the Lisbon region, to identify priority areas for community intervention that will become the focus of intervention and contribute to the increase in the health literacy levels in this population.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out by applying the Health Literacy Survey (ILS-PT) to a sample of the population in a situation of migration, found by 27 participants.ResultsThe general health literacy index of the sample is inadequate (21.23 points). An analysis of the sub-indexes revealed that 75% of the participants had difficulties related to information about health care and 80% had difficulties in the field of health promotion.ConclusionsProblematic and inadequate levels of health literacy was significantly frequent among migrant population. So that enhancing health literacy among migrant is essential to reduce health inequalities to achieve better health outcomes and contribute to defense of human rights of this vulnerable population.
Project description:ObjectivesThe level of health literacy is examined, as well as its conditioning factors in patients with heart failure who are seen routinely in a Primary Health Care Area.DesignA multicentre cross-sectional study.Setting10 Primary care centres from the metropolitan area of Barcelona.ParticipantsPatients diagnosed with heart failure.Inclusion criteriato have visited the Primary Health Care centre in the last year, being able to arrive at the primary care setting independently, and voluntarily participation.Main measurementsHealth Literacy Survey-European Union - Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q) and Spanish version of the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale. An analysis was made of the relationships between health literacy, self-care practices, sociodemographic, and clinical variables using ANOVA test and a multiple linear regression model.ResultsThe study included 318 patients (51.2% women) with a mean age of 77.9±8.7 years. The index of health literacy of 79.6% (n=253) of the participants indicated problems in understanding healthcare information. Health literacy level was explained by academic level (P<.001), the extent of heart failure (P=.032), self-care, and age (P<.04).The academic level explained 61.6% of the health of literacy (95% bootstrap: 44.58%; 46.75%).ConclusionsIn patients with stable heart failure, it is important to consider all factors that help patients to understand the healthcare information. Health literacy explains patient self-care attitude in heart failure.
Project description:BackgroundPatients with inadequate health literacy often have poorer health outcomes and increased utilization and costs. The Institute of Medicine has recommended that health literacy assessment be incorporated into health care information systems, which would facilitate large-scale studies of the effects of health literacy, as well as evaluation of system interventions to improve care by addressing health literacy. As part of the Health Literacy Screening (HEALS) study, a Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS) was incorporated into the electronic health record (EHR) at a large academic medical center.MethodsChanges were implemented to the nursing intake documentation across all adult hospital units, the emergency department, and three primary care practices. The change involved replacing previous education screening items with the BHLS. Implementation was based on a quality improvement framework, with a focus on acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity and sustainability. Support was gained from nursing leadership, education and training was provided, a documentation change was rolled out, feedback was obtained, and uptake of the new health literacy screening items was monitored.ResultsBetween November 2010 and April 2012, there were 55,611 adult inpatient admissions, and from November 2010 to September 2011, 23,186 adult patients made 39,595 clinic visits to the three primary care practices. The completion (uptake) rate was 91.8% for the hospital and 66.6% for the outpatient clinics.ConclusionsAlthough challenges exist, it is feasible to incorporate health literacy screening into clinical assessment and EHR documentation. Next steps are to evaluate the association of health literacy with processes and outcomes of care across inpatient and outpatient populations.
Project description:BackgroundAll published studies of health care utilization in gout have been cross-sectional to date, and most used a patient-reported diagnosis of gout. Our objective was to assess health care utilization and its predictors in patients with physician-confirmed gout in a prospective cohort study.MethodsIn a multi-center prospective cohort study of U.S. veterans with rheumatologist-confirmed gout (N = 186; two centers), we assessed patient self-reported overall and gout-specific health care utilization with the Gout Assessment Questionnaire (GAQ) every 3-months for a 9-month period. Comparisons were made using the student's t test or the chi-square, Wilcoxon rank sum test or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. Mixed effects Poisson regression was used to assess potential correlates of gout-related health care utilization.ResultsMean age was 64.6 years, 98% were men, 13% Hispanic or Latino, 32% were African-American, 6% did not graduate high school, mean serum urate was 8.3 and mean Deyo-Charlson score was 3.1. During the past year, mean gout-related visits were as follows: rheumatologist, 1.5; primary care physician, 2 visits; ≥1 inpatient visits, 7%; ≥1 ER visits, 26%; and urgent care/walk-in visit, 33%. In longitudinal analyses, African-American race and gout flares in the last 3 months were associated with significantly higher rate ratio of gout-related outpatient visits. African-American race and lack of college education were associated with significantly higher rate ratio for gout-related urgent visits and overnight stays.ConclusionsAfrican-American race and recent gout flares were associated with higher outpatient utilization and African-American race and no college education with higher urgent or inpatient utilization. Future studies should examine whether modifiable predictors of utilization can be targeted to reduce healthcare utilization in patients with gout.
Project description:BackgroundTo examine whether exposure to group antenatal care increased women's health literacy by improving their ability to interpret and utilize health messages compared to women who received standard, individual antenatal care in Ghana.MethodsWe used a prospective cohort design. The setting was a busy urban district hospital in Kumasi, the second most populous city in Ghana. Pregnant women (N = 240) presenting for their first antenatal visit between 11 and 14 weeks gestation were offered participation in the study. A 27% drop-out rate was experienced due to miscarriage, transfer or failure to return for follow-up visits, leaving 184 women in the final sample. Data were collected using an individual structured survey and medical record review. Summary statistics as well as two sample t-tests or chi-square were performed to evaluate the group effect.ResultsSignificant group differences were found. Women participating in group care demonstrated improved health literacy by exhibiting a greater understanding of how to operationalize health education messages. There was a significant difference between women enrolled in group antenatal care verses individual antenatal care for preventing problems before delivery, understanding when to access care, birth preparedness and complication readiness, intent to use a modern method of family planning postpartum, greater understanding of the components of breastfeeding and lactational amenorrhea for birth spacing, and intent for postpartum follow-up.ConclusionGroup antenatal care as compared to individual care offers an opportunity to increase quality of care and improve maternal and newborn outcomes. Group antenatal care holds the potential to increase healthy behaviors, promote respectful maternity care, and generate demand for services. Group ANC improves women's health literacy on how to prevent and recognize problems, prepare for delivery, and care for their newborn.
Project description:Primary healthcare organisations have an important role in addressing health literacy as this is a barrier to accessing and utilising health care. Until recently, no organisational development tool operationalising health literacy in an Australian context existed. This research evaluated the efficacy of the Organisational Health Literacy Responsiveness (Org-HLR) tool and associated assessment process in a primary healthcare organisation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This study utilised a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design incorporating the collection and analysis of data in two phases: (1) Pre- and post-survey data and; (2) seven semi-structured interviews. Survey results showed that participants' confidence in core health literacy concepts improved from baseline following the intervention. Analysis of the interview data revealed participants' initial understanding of health literacy was limited, and this impeded organisational responsiveness to health literacy needs. Participants reported the workshop and tool content were relevant to their organisation; they valued involving members from all parts of the organisation and having an external facilitator to ensure the impartiality of the process. External barriers to improving their internal organisational health literacy responsiveness were identified, with participants acknowledging the management style and culture of open communication within the organisation as enablers of change. Participants identified actionable changes to improve their organisational health literacy responsiveness using the process of organisational assessment and change.
Project description:ObjectiveTo characterise patients with heart failure (HF) in Primary Health Care (PHC) and describe their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and pharmacological treatment.DesignDescriptive cohort study. SITE: Information System for the Development of Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP), which captures information from the electronic health records of PHC of the Catalan Institute of Health (approximately 80% of the Catalan population).ParticipantsAdults with an active diagnosis of HF between 2018 and 2022.Main measurementsSociodemographic and anthropometric variables, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association (NYHA), laboratory data, comorbidities, exposure to drugs for HF and other pathologies.Results75,769 individuals were included; 22.7% with HF with reduced LVEF (HFrEF), 26.2% with preserved LVEF (HfpEF) and 51.2% with non-specific HF. The HfrEF group consisted mostly of men (59.5%), with a mean age of 74.8 years, and the others of women (58.8% and 54.6%, aged 78.7 and 80.6 years, respectively). LVEF was recorded in 20.3% and NYHA in 43.9% of patients. In terms of treatment, 75.3% of people with HfrEF were receiving renin-angiotensin system (RAS) drugs, 75.9% beta-blockers, 42.1% mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, 33.6% sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors and 62.8% diuretics. 63% with HfpEF were receiving RAS and 68% diuretics. 61.8% with unspecified HF were receiving RAS and 67.5% diuretics.ConclusionsWe analysed the population with HF in PHC in Catalonia. We highlight a low registry of cardiac function, LVEF and NYHA. The frequency of drug use for HF was different between populations and differed from the recommendations.
Project description:ObjectiveThis study examined mental health literacy and predictors of disorder recognition among primary care providers (PCPs) in Hungary.Methods208 PCPs in Hungary completed a survey assessing demographics, mental health stigma, and exposure to mental health (i.e., personal experiences and having a family member/friend with a mental health condition). Participants read six vignettes describing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) harm/aggression subtype (OCD-Aggression), OCD order/symmetry subtype (OCD-Order), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder (PD), and major depressive disorder (MDD) and were asked to identify each condition, perceived disorder causes, and provide treatment referrals. Descriptive analyses were used to characterize disorder recognition rates, perceived disorder causes, and treatment referrals. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the degree to which demographic characteristics, mental health stigma, and exposure to mental health conditions predict accurate disorder recognition.ResultsIdentification rates for each vignette were: OCD-Aggression (27.9%), OCD-Order (75.5%), SAD (34.1%), GAD (76.0%), PD (78.8%), and MDD (91.3%). First-choice treatment referrals were a psychiatrist for OCD-Aggression (63.0%), OCD-Order (53.8%), and MDD (46.6%), a psychologist/therapist for SAD (58.7%) and GAD (48.6%), and a PCP for PD (39.9%). Mislabeling conditions was significantly associated with older age (for GAD, OCD-Aggression, PD and MDD), male gender (for GAD), greater mental health stigma (for OCD-Order), and lack of exposure to mental health conditions (for SAD).ConclusionsFindings highlight strengths (e.g., depression recognition) and limitations in knowledge of mental health conditions among PCPs in Hungary and identifies targets to address to improve mental health literacy.
Project description:PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe diabetes literacy among Somali immigrants with diabetes and its association with diabetes outcomes. Among Somali immigrants in North America, the prevalence of diabetes exceeds that of the general population, and their measures of diabetes control are suboptimal when compared with non-Somali patients. Diabetes literacy is an important mediator of diabetes outcomes in general populations that has not been previously described among Somali immigrants and refugees.MethodsDiabetes literacy was measured using a translated version of the spoken knowledge in low literacy in diabetes (SKILLD) scale among Somali immigrants and refugees with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes outcome measures, including hemoglobin A1C, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and blood pressure, were obtained for each patient. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess associations between diabetes literacy and diabetes outcomes.ResultsAmong 50 Somali patients with diabetes who completed the survey, the mean SKILLD score was low (42.2 %). The diabetes outcome measures showed a mean hemoglobin A1C of 8 %, LDL cholesterol of 99.17 mg/dL (2.57 mmol/L), systolic blood pressure of 130.9 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure of 70.2 mmHg. There was no association between diabetes literacy scores and diabetes outcome measures.DiscussionSomali patients with diabetes mellitus had low diabetes literacy and suboptimal measures of diabetes disease control. However, we found no association between diabetes literacy and diabetes outcomes. Future work aimed at reduction of diabetes-related health disparities among Somali immigrants and refugees to high-income countries should go beyond traditional means of patient education for low-literacy populations.