326637
Assessing acculturation levels of Spanish speaking Hispanic adults accessing healthcare services at community health centers in the Midwest
2010 US Census data indicate that Hispanic population growth was most significant in the Midwest and South. Hispanics experience health disparities manifested as higher prevalence of diabetes. Studies show that the root causes of racial/ethnic health disparities include variations in cultural beliefs, values, behaviors and low levels of health literacy. However, few studies have examined the levels of acculturation and its association with health literacy in the Hispanic population of the Midwest.
Methods
This cross-sectional survey measured levels of acculturation in Spanish speaking adult Hispanics (N=401) accessing community health centers in rural and urban Nebraska. The survey included questions from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS), the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics/Linguistic Proficiency Subscale (BAS/LP) which is a tool that has documented high reliability and validity coefficients for Hispanics in the US, and the Short Assessment of Health Literacy in Spanish (SAHL-S). Fisher’s exact test was used to evaluate associations between acculturation and health literacy levels.
Results
We observed similar acculturation levels in rural and urban participants. Nearly 85% percent of all participants had low levels of acculturation to US culture. Of the 15% of the participants who showed themselves to be bicultural, 81% reported adequate levels of health literacy.
Conclusions
Our findings are consistent with previous studies that report the associations between acculturation and health literacy levels are significant. This study underscores the importance of considering levels of acculturation and culturally tailored information when developing health literacy interventions and education programs targeting Hispanics.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationDiversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Assess the prevalence and association of acculturation with low levels of health literacy and demographic variables in Spanish speaking Hispanics in the Midwest.
Keyword(s): Health Disparities/Inequities, Minority Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was a principal investigator in this project. This research study was conducted as part of my post-doctoral fellowship with the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Minority Health. My research interests include policies and interventions that address healthcare disparities and access to primary care.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.