The MA Dept. of Public Health, Division of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control (TBPC) is committed to using TB educational materials appropriate to literacy skills. Objectives: 1) Determine if at-risk populations learn more about TB from an easy-to-read brochure than from more traditional brochures; 2) Determine discrepancies between educational attainment and reading ability. Methods: State and county correctional inmates (n=122), a population at risk, self-selected for this study. They were randomized into two groups: 58 read a CDC brochure (7th grade level); 64 read a new TBPC brochure (5th grade). We interviewed inmates regarding their education, reading ability (Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine - REALM), and knowledge gained from reading brochures. We asked inmates 6 TB questions and allowed them to refer to the brochure. Results: Mean education 11.3 years; 85 (61.5%) completed high school, with 16 (13.1%) having some post-secondary education. Mean REALM score was 7th-8th grade (n=120). Mean scores for reading brochures: 4.3 (CDC) and 5.1 (TBPC) out of 6, p=0.0002. Mean age 33.8; 66 (51.4%) male; 16 (13.1%) had a non-English first language; and 18 (14.8%) had prior TB knowledge (defined as recent TB treatment, either their own or that of a close relative). There was no significant difference between groups by any of these factors. Discussion: This project demonstrates the value of easy-to-read materials for a population with limited reading skills. Readers of the new TBPC brochure gained significantly more knowledge than the CDC brochure readers. Neither education nor reading ability explained this difference.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1) Recognize the differences in knowledge gain for at-risk populations using easy-to-read TB education materials compared to traditional materials 2) Describe the discrepancies between educational attainment and reading ability in a population of inmates 3) Discuss methods of evaluating health education materials for different audiences
Keywords: Health Literacy, Tuberculosis
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.