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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 16 of 16 Research Studies DisplayedArcia A, Pho AT, Lor M
Comparison of newest vital sign and brief health literacy screen scores in a large, urban Hispanic cohort.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Newest Vital Sign (NVS) and Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS) scores in a large cohort of English- and Spanish-speaking urban Hispanic adults. Scores on both measures showed good internal consistency but NVS items had high difficulty; greater than 50% of respondents scored 0. The correlation between measures was weak. The study concluded that health literacy scores were poor predictors of objective scores.
AHRQ-funded; HS019853; HS022961.
Citation: Arcia A, Pho AT, Lor M .
Comparison of newest vital sign and brief health literacy screen scores in a large, urban Hispanic cohort.
Patient Educ Couns 2023 Apr; 109:107628. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107628
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Keywords: Health Literacy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Urban Health
Dos Santos Marques IC, Herbey II, Theiss LM
Understanding the surgical experience for Black and White patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): the importance of health literacy.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the surgical experience for Black and White inflammatory bowel disease patients. Same race, semi-structured qualitative interviews with patients with IBD who had undergone surgery were conducted to explore barriers and facilitators to a positive or negative surgical experience. The study reported that 6 focus groups were conducted with 10 Black and 17 White IBD participants with a mean age of 44.8 years, 52% of whom were male and 65% of whom had Crohn’s disease. Four themes were identified that most characterized the surgical experience: the impact of the IBD diagnosis, the quality of the information that was provided, disease management, and the surgery. Within these theme groupings, identified barriers to a positive surgical experience included inadequate personal knowledge of IBD, ineffective written and verbal communication, lack of a support system and complications after surgery. Both groups indicated that information was provided inconsistently which led to unclear expectations of surgical outcomes. The study concluded that surgical experiences vary between Black and White patients, but both groups emphasized the need for understandable, accurate, and trustworthy health information.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009; HS013852.
Citation: Dos Santos Marques IC, Herbey II, Theiss LM .
Understanding the surgical experience for Black and White patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): the importance of health literacy.
Am J Surg 2022 Feb;223(2):303-11. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.06.003..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Surgery, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Digestive Disease and Health, Patient Experience
Valdovinos C, Perez-Aguilar G, Huerta RG
Electronic health literacy among linguistically diverse patients in the Los Angeles County safety net health system.
Few studies have been conducted which evaluate levels of eHealth literacy in underserved populations, yet eHealth literacy may affect telehealth utilization. The objective of this study was to describe eHealth literacy levels as well as technology use and access patterns among English-speaking and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients from three Los Angeles clinics for uninsured, Medicaid, and other vulnerable patients (“safety-net” clinics). Between June and July of 2017, patients aged 18 or over with diabetes mellitus and/ or hypertension and their caregivers were recruited for the study. The researchers asked both English-speaking and LEP Spanish-speaking patients about their technology use and access, and assessed their levels of health literacy using the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHeals). A total of 62 patients and 9 caregivers, with a mean age of 56, completed the questionnaire. The study found that 67% of participants used a telephone that had internet access. For the 10 items on the eHEALS instrument, the mean score was in the moderate range at 26/50 points. There was no difference in the mean eHEALS score between the English-speaking and LEP Spanish speaking groups, however 68% of English-speaking participants “agreed/ strongly agreed” that they knew how to use the internet to answer their health questions, compared to 47% of the Spanish-speaking participants (P<.05). The study concluded that despite moderate levels of electronic health literacy, participant’s perceived confidence and skills in engaging with electronic health systems were low.
AHRQ-funded; HS026407.
Citation: Valdovinos C, Perez-Aguilar G, Huerta RG .
Electronic health literacy among linguistically diverse patients in the Los Angeles County safety net health system.
Ethn Dis 2022 Winter;32(1):21-30. doi: 10.18865/ed.32.1.21..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Health Information Technology (HIT), Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Dos Santos Marques IC, Theiss LM, Baker SJ
Low health literacy exists in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population and is disproportionately prevalent in older African Americans.
This study assessed the prevalence of low health literacy rates among adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a diverse population and identified risk factors for low health literacy. IBD patients at a single institution from November 2017 to May 2018 were assessed for health literacy using the Newest Vital Sign (NWS). Secondary outcomes were length-of-stay (LOS) and 30-day readmissions after surgery. There were 175 patients surveyed who were 59% female, 23% African Americans, 91% with Crohn’s disease, and mean age was 46. Overall the low health literacy rate was 24%, with African Americans having a higher prevalence (47.5%) versus 17.0% for white IBD patients. Low health literacy was associated with older age and African American race. There were no significant differences between LOS and readmissions rates by health literacy levels.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Dos Santos Marques IC, Theiss LM, Baker SJ .
Low health literacy exists in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population and is disproportionately prevalent in older African Americans.
Crohns Colitis 360 2020 Oct;2(4). doi: 10.1093/crocol/otaa076..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Literacy, Digestive Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Chronic Conditions
Yoo-Jeong M, Schnall R
Accuracy of self-reports of HIV viral load status and risk factors for inaccurate reporting of viral suppression among racial/ethnic minority persons living with HIV.
The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between health literacy and self-reported viral load (VL) among racial/ethnic minority people living with HIV (PLWH). A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data was collected from three research projects aimed to improve outcomes in PLWH. Recruitment was done through flyers and social media websites. The investigators found that about half of their participants inaccurately reported their VL and that sexual minority individuals were more likely to inaccurately self-report their VL.
AHRQ-funded; HS025071.
Citation: Yoo-Jeong M, Schnall R .
Accuracy of self-reports of HIV viral load status and risk factors for inaccurate reporting of viral suppression among racial/ethnic minority persons living with HIV.
AIDS Patient Care STDS 2020 Sep;34(9):369-72. doi: 10.1089/apc.2020.0099..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Health Literacy
Payán DD, Maggard-Gibbons M, Flórez KR
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Risk for Breast Cancer (CUIDARSE): a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
Latinas in the United States are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer (BC) compared to non-Latinas. Literacy-appropriate and culturally sensitive cancer communication interventions can help address existing racial/ethnic BC disparities. In this study, the investigators formatively developed a new BC prevention brochure for Spanish-speaking Latinas (≥35 years) and conducted a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
AHRQ-funded; HS019264.
Citation: Payán DD, Maggard-Gibbons M, Flórez KR .
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Risk for Breast Cancer (CUIDARSE): a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
Health Educ Behav 2020 Aug;47(4):569-80. doi: 10.1177/1090198120920529..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Cultural Competence, Health Promotion, Communication, Women, Community-Based Practice
Dos Santos Marques IC, Herbey II, Theiss LM
Understanding the surgical experience for African-Americans and Caucasians with enhanced recovery.
The purpose of this study was to use qualitative methods to better understand the surgical experience for African-American and Caucasian patients in the setting of an enhanced recovery program (ERP). Findings showed that African-American and Caucasian surgical patients have varied surgical experiences even under an ERP. All patients, however, valued the ability to obtain, process, and understand health information during the surgical process. These elements define "health literacy" and suggest the importance of providing health literacy-sensitive care in surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Dos Santos Marques IC, Herbey II, Theiss LM .
Understanding the surgical experience for African-Americans and Caucasians with enhanced recovery.
J Surg Res 2020 Jun;250:12-22. doi: //10.1016/j.jss.2019.12.034..
Keywords: Surgery, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Patient Experience, Disparities, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Canedo JR, Wilkins CH, Senft N
Barriers and facilitators to dissemination and adoption of precision medicine among Hispanics/Latinos.
This study examined barriers to dissemination and adoption of precision medicine among the Hispanic/Latino population. Six focus groups and a demographic survey in English and Spanish was developed. Forty-one self-identified Hispanics/Latinos from diverse countries participated in the study. The participants had never heard of precision medicine and barriers to adoption and dissemination included lack of health insurance, distrust of government, immigration status, financial burden, limited English proficiency, low literacy levels, lack of information and lack of transportation. Facilitators included family support, information provided in Spanish, use of plain language and graphics and trust in healthcare providers and institutions. The authors recommend culturally- and linguistically-tailored, low-literacy educational material about precision medicine in English and Spanish.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Canedo JR, Wilkins CH, Senft N .
Barriers and facilitators to dissemination and adoption of precision medicine among Hispanics/Latinos.
BMC Public Health 2020 May 1;20(1):603. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-08718-1..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cultural Competence, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Clinician-Patient Communication
Davis SN, Wischhusen JW, Sutton SK
Demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a community-based sample of older Black Americans.
This study examined the frequency of limited health literacy and demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a sample of older black Americans. The participants enrolled in a community-based intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening and completed baseline surveys that assessed their health literacy using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, Revised (REALM-R) test, CRC awareness, cancer fatalism, Preventive Health Model (PHM) constructs, and demographics. Findings showed that limited health literacy was associated with multiple complex factors. Recommendations include interventions to incorporate patient health literacy and low-literacy materials that can be delivered through multiple channels.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Davis SN, Wischhusen JW, Sutton SK .
Demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a community-based sample of older Black Americans.
Patient Educ Couns 2020 Feb;103(2):385-91. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.08.026..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Elderly, Screening, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Prevention
Rice WS, Stringer KL, Sohail M
Accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): perceptions of current and potential prEP users in Birmingham, Alabama.
Limited studies to date assess barriers to and facilitators of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and utilization using a patient-centered access to care framework, among diverse socio-demographic groups, or in the U.S. Deep South, an area with disproportionate HIV burden. In this study, the investigators examine perceptions of PrEP access in qualitative interviews with 44 current and potential PrEP users in Birmingham, Alabama.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Rice WS, Stringer KL, Sohail M .
Accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): perceptions of current and potential prEP users in Birmingham, Alabama.
AIDS Behav 2019 Nov;23(11):2966-79. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02591-9..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Healthcare Utilization, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Access to Care, Health Promotion
Tieu L, Hobbs A, Sarkar U
Adapting patient experience data collection processes for lower literacy patient populations using tablets at the point of care.
This study compared the acceptability of low-literacy tablet-based and traditional paper-based patient experience surveys in English and Spanish. The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems Clinician & Group Survey (CG-CAHPS) was adapted for a pilot survey using low-literacy questions in Spanish and English. The majority of interview participants preferred the tablet version over the traditional paper-based survey. This was especially true for the younger and Latino respondents.
AHRQ-funded; HS022408.
Citation: Tieu L, Hobbs A, Sarkar U .
Adapting patient experience data collection processes for lower literacy patient populations using tablets at the point of care.
Med Care 2019 Jun;57 Suppl 6 Suppl 2:S140-s48. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001030..
Keywords: Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Literacy, Patient Experience, Primary Care, Quality of Care, Quality Improvement, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Urban Health
Lor M, Koleck TA, Bakken S
Association between health literacy and medication adherence among Hispanics with hypertension.
This study examined the association between health literacy and medication adherence among Hispanic adults with hypertension. A cross-sectional survey of 1355 Hispanic adults, mostly Dominicans who self-report hypertension was conducted. After controlling for age, sex, birth country, education level, recruitment location, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance inadequate health literacy was associated with a lower adherence score.
AHRQ-funded; HS019853; HS022961.
Citation: Lor M, Koleck TA, Bakken S .
Association between health literacy and medication adherence among Hispanics with hypertension.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019 Jun;6(3):517-24. doi: 10.1007/s40615-018-00550-z..
Keywords: Blood Pressure, Health Literacy, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Medication, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Khoong EC, Cherian R, Matta GY
Perspectives of English, Chinese, and Spanish-speaking safety-net patients on clinician computer use: qualitative analysis.
The goal of this study was to understand how safety-net patients, including those with limited English proficiency, view clinician electronic health record (EHR) use. Through focus groups in English, Spanish, and Cantonese, results showed that linguistically diverse patients accepted the value of EHR use during outpatient visits but desired more eye contact, verbal warnings before EHR use, and screen-sharing. Support for clinicians in completing EHR-related tasks during the visit using patient-centered strategies for all patients is recommended.
AHRQ-funded; HS022561; HS023558; HS022408.
Citation: Khoong EC, Cherian R, Matta GY .
Perspectives of English, Chinese, and Spanish-speaking safety-net patients on clinician computer use: qualitative analysis.
J Med Internet Res 2019 May 22;21(5):e13131. doi: 10.2196/13131..
Keywords: Cultural Competence, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Patient Experience, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Clinician-Patient Communication, Health Literacy, Communication
Zuckerman KE, Chavez AE, Regalado Murillo C
Disparities in familiarity with developmental disabilities among low-income parents.
Parent knowledge about developmental disabilities (DDs) may facilitate access to DD care; however, parents may vary in their knowledge and familiarity with common DDs. The objective of this study was to assess racial/ethnic and language differences in low-income families' familiarity, knowledge, and personal experience with DDs. The investigators concluded that low-income Latino-LEP and other race parents have less familiarity or personal experience with DDs and are less aware of early signs of DDs compared to low-income white parents.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Zuckerman KE, Chavez AE, Regalado Murillo C .
Disparities in familiarity with developmental disabilities among low-income parents.
Acad Pediatr 2018 Nov - Dec;18(8):944-51. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2018.06.011..
Keywords: Disabilities, Children/Adolescents, Caregiving, Health Literacy, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Yun K, Paul P, Subedi P
Help-seeking behavior and health care navigation by Bhutanese refugees.
The objective of this study was to document barriers to care, help-seeking behaviors, and the impact of a community-based patient navigation intervention on patient activation levels among Bhutanese refugees in the U.S. Following the intervention, only one-third reported the lowest level of patient activation and one-third were highly activated. Bhutanese refugees overcome healthcare access barriers by seeking help from a network of support that begins within the community.
AHRQ-funded; HS021706.
Citation: Yun K, Paul P, Subedi P .
Help-seeking behavior and health care navigation by Bhutanese refugees.
J Community Health 2016 Jun;41(3):526-34. doi: 10.1007/s10900-015-0126-x.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Cultural Competence, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Health Literacy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Hahn EA, Burns JL, Jacobs EA
Health literacy and patient-reported outcomes: a cross-sectional study of underserved English- and Spanish-speaking patients with type 2 diabetes.
The investigators examined associations between patient characteristics, health behaviors, and health outcomes and explored the role of health literacy as a potential mediator of outcomes. They found that health literacy was not associated with diabetes self-care, health status, or satisfaction with communication, and it did not mediate the effects of other factors on these outcomes. Diabetes self-efficacy was significantly associated with health behaviors and outcomes. The association between Spanish language preference and poorer health was not mediated by this group's lower health literacy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019335.
Citation: Hahn EA, Burns JL, Jacobs EA .
Health literacy and patient-reported outcomes: a cross-sectional study of underserved English- and Spanish-speaking patients with type 2 diabetes.
J Health Commun 2015;20 Suppl 2:4-15. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2015.1061071.
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Keywords: Communication, Diabetes, Health Literacy, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Racial and Ethnic Minorities