Background: Black women living with HIV (WLH) have the highest HIV infection rate, cervical cancer mortality, and the lowest cancer screening use compared to other groups. However, there is a gap in knowledge about cancer screening health literacy in the Black WLH population. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of cancer screening health literacy, and to identify factors associated with health literacy among Black WLH. Methods: This study used baseline data from a community-based randomized controlled trial for a health literacy intervention called CHECC-uP (community-based health literacy intervention for cancer control). We recruited a convenience sample of Black WLH ( N = 123) who understand English and had no Pap testing in the prior 12 months. The outcome was cancer screening health literacy measured with a validated health literacy tool—Assessment of Health Literacy in Cancer Screening. Predictors included age, marital status, education, income, and insurance type. The association between cancer screening health literacy and predictors was assessed with multivariate logistic regression. Key Results: Almost one-half (49.6%) of study participants had a reading level at or below sixth grade. Older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.05) and higher educational levels (aOR 5.13) were significantly associated with higher cancer screening health literacy among our sample of Black WLH in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions: Educational materials and other approaches to empower patients should be tested with patients who have low health literacy to ensure efficacy. [ HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice . 2022;6(3):e175–e181. ] Plain Language Summary: Using a cancer screening health literacy tool, we found that about one-half of the Black WLH in the study had a reading level at or below sixth grade. Age and education level were related to their reading levels among the women. Researcher and clinicians need to test educational materials and other approaches with patients who have low health literacy to make sure they work.
Cervical cancer screening rates in Haiti are concerningly low. Access to health-related information and health literacy may be important determinants of engagement in cervical cancer screening. This study explored the relationship between sociodemographics,literacy, and sources of information on cervical cancer screening among Haitian women. A secondary data analysis was conducted using USAID Demographics and Health Survey Haiti household data from 2016–2017. Univariate logistic regressions identified significant predictor covariates measuring sociodemographics and sources of information in cervical cancer screening uptake.Two multivariate logistic regression models with adjusted odds ratios were developed using the significant predictor variables from the univariate analysis. N = 610 women responded to questions pertaining to cervical cancer screening. The first multivariate model evaluating sociodemographics demonstrated an economic background of poorer (aOR = 4.06, 95% CI [1.16,14.27]) and richest (aOR = 19.10 , 95% CI[2.58,141.57]), higher education levels (aOR 7.58 , 95% CI [1.64,34.97]), and having insurance (aOR = 16.40, [95% CI 2.65, 101.42]) were significant predictors of cervical cancer screening. The second model evaluating literacy and sources of information indicated that access to a television (aOR = 4.28, 95% CI [1.21,9.34]), mobile phone ownership (aOR = 4.44, 95% CI [1.00,5.59]), and reading the newspaper (aOR = 3.57, [95% CI 1.10,11.59]) were significant predictors of cervical cancer screening. Diverse health communication initiatives that are adapted for literacy level and that incorporate multimedia components may effective in raising women’s cervical cancer knowledge and awareness , and increasing intention and uptake of cervical cancer screening in Haiti.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.