297348
Factors associated with health literacy among Hispanics with diabetes in the United States
Methods: Data are drawn from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants over the age of 20 identifying as “Mexican American” or “Other Hispanic” and “Non-Hispanic White,” and who self identified as diabetic were included (n=512). Survey items reporting knowledge of blood pressure numbers, lifestyle education, and home blood sugar checks and foot exams measured health literacy. Logistic regression models assessed differences in health literacy.
Results: WD were more likely to check their blood sugar than HD (95% CI [1.3-3.3)). WD were less likely than HD to have had physical activity education (OR=0.5 [0.3-0.8]). There were no health literacy outcome differences between English and Spanish speaking HD. On secondary analysis of covariates in models with HD only, high school graduates were more likely to know their blood pressure numbers and goals. Having a regular health care provider was associated with reporting physical activity and dietary education.
Conclusions: Despite potential cultural and linguistic barriers, HD and WD reported similar behaviors and knowledge related to health literacy. Additionally, English fluency was not found to be a significant predictor. However, education level and having a consistent provider were significantly associated with higher health literacy.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionPlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe differences in health knowledge, behaviors and health literacy among White and Hispanic populations with diabetes.
Explain the effect of English fluency on health knowledge and behaviors.
Identify factors that may improve health literacy among Hispanics with diabetes.
Keyword(s): Chronic Disease Management and Care, Latinos
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a 3rd year MD/MPH student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine with an interest in chronic disease management. In addition to working with people with chronic disease, I have also worked on analyzing youth tobacco use data for the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods at Case Western.
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.