Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Literacy Programs”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Influence of patient literacy on the effectiveness of a primary care-based diabetes disease management program.

CONTEXT: Low literacy is an important barrier for patients with diabetes, but interventions to address low literacy have not been well examined. OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of literacy on the effectiveness of a comprehensive disease management program for patients with diabetes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Analysis of the influence of literacy on glycemic control and systolic blood pressure using data from a randomized controlled trial (conducted from February 2001 through April 2003) of a comprehensive diabetes management program. Participants were 217 patients aged 18 years or older with type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] levels > or =8.0%) and presenting to a US academic general internal medicine practice. INTERVENTIONS: All communication to patients was individualized and delivered to enhance comprehension among patients with low literacy. Intervention patients received intensive disease management from a multidisciplinary team. Control patients received an initial management session and continued with usual care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Achievement of goal HbA1c levels and systolic blood pressure at 12-month follow-up for control and intervention patients stratified by literacy status. RESULTS: Complete 12-month data were available for 193 patients (89%). Among patients with low literacy, intervention patients were more likely than control patients to achieve goal HbA1c levels (< or =7.0%) (42% vs 15%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 17.2; P = .02). Patients with higher literacy had similar odds of achieving goal HbA1c levels regardless of intervention status (24% vs 23%; adjusted OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.4 to 2.5; P = .98). Improvements in systolic blood pressure were similar by literacy status. CONCLUSIONS: Literacy may be an important factor for predicting who will benefit from an intervention for diabetes management. A diabetes disease management program that addresses literacy may be particularly beneficial for patients with low literacy, and increasing access to such a program could help reduce health disparities.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed2003

Program to enhance health literacy and treatment adherence in low-income HIV-infected Latino men and women.

This paper reports the initial results of a pilot study to evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of a program to enhance health literacy in low-income HIV-infected Latino men and women receiving antiretroviral therapy. Participants rated the program highly on measures of satisfaction, providing evidence of its acceptability. The effectiveness of the program was assessed in comparisons of the intervention (n = 41) and standard care only (n = 40) groups at baseline and 6-week intervals. Program participants showed significant improvement over comparison group participants on measures of HIV/AIDS and treatment-related knowledge and recognition and understanding of HIV terms. Although there were no significant changes in adherence mastery and behaviors during the 6-week follow up period, there were significant changes in program participants' knowledge about medication adherence. Future steps to examine the sustainability of the program in the medical management of patients are planned in addition to determining its long-range relative impact.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The effects of live music groups versus an educational children's television program on the emergent literacy of young children.

Research suggests that music is beneficial in teaching both social and academic skills to young children. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a music therapy program designed to teach reading skills versus the "Between the Lions" television program on the early literacy behaviors of Kindergarten children from a low socioeconomic background. Subjects (n = 86) were children, aged 5-7 years, enrolled in one of four different Kindergarten classes at a public elementary school in Northwest Florida. Each class was assigned one of four treatment conditions: Music/Video (sequential presentation of each condition), Music-Only, Video-Only, and no contact Control group. Growth in early literacy skills was measured using the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) and 3 subtests of the Test of Early reading Ability-3rd edition (TERA-3). Teachers' perceptions of classroom literacy behaviors were measured using a pre and poststudy survey. This study also compared on- and off-task behavior of students during video versus music conditions. Results of the 7 subtests measuring early literacy were varied. The Music/Video and Music-Only groups achieved the highest increases in mean scores from pre to posttest on 4 of the 7 subtests. Students in the Video-Only group scored significantly better on the phonemic segmentation portion of the DIBELS than peers in the Music/Video condition. Furthermore, strong correlations were found between the Letter Naming, Initial Sounds Fluency tests, and total raw score of the TERA-3 tests for both pre and posttesting. Additionally, graphic analysis of mean off-task behavior per session indicated that students were more off-task during both video conditions (video alone and video portion of Music/Video condition) than during the music conditions. Off-task behavior was consistently lower during music sessions for the duration of the study. This study confirmed that music increases the on-task behavior of students. Additionally, the combination of music and video enrichment showed gains in 4 of the 8 tests used to measure students' progress. This pattern supports the need for further investigation regarding benefits of enrichment programs specifically designed to enhance curricula for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly programs that incorporate music activities.

Child↗
PubMed2006

A heart failure self-management program for patients of all literacy levels: a randomized, controlled trial [ISRCTN11535170].

BACKGROUND: Self-management programs for patients with heart failure can reduce hospitalizations and mortality. However, no programs have analyzed their usefulness for patients with low literacy. We compared the efficacy of a heart failure self-management program designed for patients with low literacy versus usual care. METHODS: We performed a 12-month randomized controlled trial. From November 2001 to April 2003, we enrolled participants aged 30-80, who had heart failure and took furosemide. Intervention patients received education on self-care emphasizing daily weight measurement, diuretic dose self-adjustment, and symptom recognition and response. Picture-based educational materials, a digital scale, and scheduled telephone follow-up were provided to reinforce adherence. Control patients received a generic heart failure brochure and usual care. Primary outcomes were combined hospitalization or death, and heart failure-related quality of life. RESULTS: 123 patients (64 control, 59 intervention) participated; 41% had inadequate literacy. Patients in the intervention group had a lower rate of hospitalization or death (crude incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.69; CI 0.4, 1.2; adjusted IRR = 0.53; CI 0.32, 0.89). This difference was larger for patients with low literacy (IRR = 0.39; CI 0.16, 0.91) than for higher literacy (IRR = 0.56; CI 0.3, 1.04), but the interaction was not statistically significant. At 12 months, more patients in the intervention group reported monitoring weights daily (79% vs. 29%, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for baseline demographic and treatment differences, we found no difference in heart failure-related quality of life at 12 months (difference = -2; CI -5, +9). CONCLUSION: A primary care-based heart failure self-management program designed for patients with low literacy reduces the risk of hospitalizations or death.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Low literacy and violence among adolescents in a summer sports program.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between inadequate literacy and violent behavior among adolescents. METHODS: This descriptive study involved a convenience sample of 386 adolescents who participated in a summer track and field and literacy program serving youths in low-income neighborhoods in Shreveport, Louisiana, during 1994-1996. Self-reported violence was measured using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and reading grade levels were measured by the Slosson Oral Reading Test-Revised (SORT-R). RESULTS: Youths ranged in age from 11 to 18 years; 66% were male, and 86% were African-American. Forty-three percent of adolescents tested had below-grade reading levels (> or = 2 grades). Participants with below-grade reading skills had higher rates of self-reported violent behaviors compared with those reading at grade level. When gender, race, and age were controlled for, adolescents reading below grade level were significantly more likely to report carrying weapons [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.5], carrying guns (OR = 2.6; CI 1.1- 6.2), to have been in a physical fight at school (OR = 1.7; CI 1.1-2.6), and to have been in a physical fight resulting in injuries requiring treatment (OR = 3.1; CI 1.6-6.1). In addition, youths reading below grade level were significantly more likely to be threatened at school with a weapon (OR = 2.1; CI 1.2-3.7) and to report missing days of school in the previous 30 days because they felt unsafe at school (OR = 2.3; CI 1.3-4.3). In characterizing the violence related behaviors, we found that low reading-level adolescents were more likely to be both aggressor/perpetrator and victim (44% vs. 32%; p = .02) and less likely to be only a victim (6% vs. 12%; p = .04) compared to adolescents with grade-appropriate reading skills. CONCLUSIONS: Below-grade-level reading was significantly related to violence behaviors among adolescents who volunteered for a summer track and field program. Longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate the relationship of below-grade-level reading and aggressive/perpetrator and victim behaviors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Focus group responses of potential participants in a nutrition education program for individuals with limited literacy skills.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information to direct the design and development of a nutrition intervention program targeted at a low-literacy audience. SUBJECTS: Thirty-nine female and two male clients of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) participated in five focus-group discussions. The focus groups included 23 African American, 9 white, 4 Southeast Asian, 1 American Indian, 2 Hispanic American, and 2 Middle Eastern EFNEP participants. DESIGN: All focus groups were moderated and co-moderated by University of Minnesota staff members. The focus groups were tape-recorded and transcribed. A written report was generated based on the independent evaluation of two staff members. RESULTS: We learned that EFNEP participants thought they would be motivated to change their eating habits for health concerns, including weight loss, and to help their families develop healthful eating habits. They mentioned several barriers to making changes, including extra time and money needed to purchase and prepare healthful foods, food preferences of family members, lack of interest and skills in cooking, and insufficient knowledge about which foods are healthful. Participants shared ideas for program content and delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Clients with limited literacy skills have valuable opinions and insights that program developers targeting this hard-to-reach group should hear. The EFNEP participants wanted simple, practical, and relevant information about what foods to eat and how to prepare them. They considered lectures an ineffective way to receive nutrition information, and they expressed a preference for hands-on activities that were enjoyable and allowed participants to share ideas and experiences.

Black or African American↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality of life assessment for low literacy Latinos: a new multimedia program for self-administration.

Cancer patients who have limited literacy skills or English language proficiency are particularly vulnerable to receiving sub-optimal care. Outcome measurement in these patients may provide new insight into previously undetected problems. This report describes the development and testing of a Spanish language, multimedia program for quality of life (QOL) assessment. Pilot testing was conducted with 30 Latino cancer patients with a range of education levels and computer experience. Patients found the program easy to use and understand. The "Talking Touchscreen" is a practical, user-friendly method that provides greater opportunities to assess QOL in Spanish-speaking patients with a range of literacy skills.

Computer Literacy↗
PubMed1989

Outcome of an osteoarthritis education program for low-literacy patients taught by indigenous instructors.

A 10-h osteoarthritis education course was developed and evaluated for older low-income patients with osteoarthritis. Indigenous community leaders were trained to teach the course within inner-city neighborhoods of Hartford, Connecticut. Significant differences were obtained using a quasi-experimental group, pre/post-test design. There was a significant increase in knowledge (P less than 0.001) both on a verbal knowledge test and a picture story test (P less than 0.001). There was a significant increase in scores on an exercise scale (P less than 0.001). Attitude toward one's illness improved. There was a slight improvement in function which was not significant. Use of adaptive equipment increased as a direct result of the program. The course was well accepted and enjoyed by the participants.

Connecticut↗
PubMed2005

Evaluating deaf students' readiness to meet the English language and literacy demands of postsecondary educational programs.

The purpose of this study was to investigate alternative methods for evaluating deaf students' readiness to meet the English language and literacy demands of postsecondary educational programs. In the first part of the study, scores obtained by a large sample of deaf students on the ACT Assessment (ACT Composite score and scores on the ACT English and Reading tests) were compared to their scores on various measures of English language and literacy skills. In the second part of the study, the performance of a smaller sample of deaf students on the ESL Reading and ESL Grammar/Usage components of COMPASS/ESL was compared to their performance on a set of concurrent measures of English skills. The results of this investigation demonstrate that neither the ACT Assessment nor COMPASS/ESL are appropriate for the full range of deaf students seeking admission to postsecondary educational programs. However, the ACT Assessment is appropriate for deaf students seeking admission to transferable (BS and AAS) degree programs, and the ESL Reading and Grammar/Usage tests appear to be appropriate for deaf students seeking admission to nontransferable (AOS) degree programs. Taken together, the combination of the ACT Assessment and COMPASS/ESL appear able to provide a valid, reliable, and coherent approach to admissions screening assessment for the full range of deaf students seeking admission to postsecondary programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Information literacy in an undergraduate nursing curriculum: development, implementation, and evaluation.

With the increasing complexity of nursing practice and health care delivery, developing information literacy in students for lifelong learning is a vital element of nursing education. The San Francisco State University School of Nursing has developed, implemented, and evaluated an integrated program of information literacy in its undergraduate curriculum. The curriculum strand includes a variety of instructional strategies woven through all semesters of the nursing program. To evaluate the information literacy program, an exploratory descriptive approach was taken using two different cohorts of students. Baseline testing prior to implementation of the information literacy program and posttesting after implementation of the program revealed selected positive occurrences in students' use of bibliographic databases and journal literature. However, students did not perceive they were more successful in accessing information, and faculty assessment of students' ability to evaluate information did not change from 1992 to 1996. These and other evaluation findings have implications for the development of an information literacy curriculum and its integration with other facets of student learning.

Computer Literacy↗
PubMed2003

Screening for low literacy among adult caregivers of pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between functional illiteracy and poor health has led to pediatric literacy promotion programs in the primary care setting. These interventions do not address linked parental literacy needs. An obstacle to referring adults to literacy services is the lack of an instrument that can efficiently identify individuals who could benefit from such programs. We sought to identify screening items sufficiently simple to use in clinical practice. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined 98 adult primary caregivers of preschool children seen in an inner-city primary care setting. Literacy level and 17 variables predicted to be associated with low literacy were assessed. RESULTS: Three items were independently associated with a 6th grade reading level: (1) less than 12th grade completion, (2) not living with the child's other parent, and (3) not reading for pleasure. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicates that, used together, these variables have discriminant capacity, with an area under the ROC curve of.76. CONCLUSIONS: Three items for use in a simple screening instrument for parental low literacy were identified. Used together, they had favorable characteristics but must be further tested for generalizability.

Adult↗