Development of a Health Literacy Program for Parents of Children with Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol

Abstract

Objectives: Parents’ health literacy plays an important role in the proper management of symptoms and providing appropriate care for their children living with cancer. However, studies conducted on health literacy in Iranian culture is very limited. Therefore, this study will identify the health literacy needs of parents of children with cancer and will design a program for promoting their health literacy. Methods: This exploratory mixed-methods study, using qualitative-quantitative methods including 4 consecutive phases. In the first phase, the literature review will be carried out to conceptualize and determine the domains of health literacy. In the second phase, a qualitative study will be conducted to identify and determine the needs and strategies for promoting the health literacy of parents using deep semi-structured interviews. Participants will be selected by purposive and snowball sampling methods and data will be analyzed using the directed content analysis method. In the third phase, participants’ needs will be prioritized using a panel of experts and the initial draft of the program will be designed. In the fourth phase, the modified Delphi method will be used to prioritize program strategies and select the final program. Discussion: Developing a program using a qualitative method and literature review can provide some evidence for promoting health literacy in parents of children living with cancer. Moreover, it is expected that this program promotes knowledge and empowerment of health team members, especially nurses to provide family-centered care for children with cancer. This, in turn, will increase the quality of provided treatment and care and will decrease the costs.