Improving Health Literacy for Persons with Low Literacy: An analysis of a South African HIV health education programme

Abstract

Health information needs are predominantly addressed by means of broad health promotion interventions. These interventions’ view health needs from the individual, interpersonal, community, environmental and political perspectives. Usually these materials come in a written form known as Information, Education & communication (IEC) materials Researchers and programme developers realise that successful health promotion interventions should be informed by epidemiological studies which take into account the social, cultural and economic influences and programme evaluations It is believed that the combination of all these sources of data contributes to the development of effective health promotion interventions which carry the potential of addressing a variety of health needs. These health needs include addressing health literacy for different audiences, health conditions education levels. With the enhanced attention on prevention of lifestyle illness, self-care and management, health promotion, as a strategy becomes too broad and ineffective as an intervention strategy. Thus, researchers and clinicians are now interested in understanding why and how individuals seek , obtain and use health information, rather than providing general information at a society level. This translated to a much-needed focus on health information which may enable individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Health literacy and low health literacy has received increased attention due to its association with poor understanding of health information, and consequently negative health outcomes. Although much research discusses health literacy and its role; there are gaps in explaining the relationship between health literacy and low literacy; as well as various determinants of health (i.e., social, cultural, political, etc.). This relationship is particularly significant for lower- and middle-income countries where most clients might not even speak English as a first language; or the same language of the health care providers. This book aims to shares content views not only of the scholars, researchers, developers and policy makers; but also, those of the recipients of the health interventions. Such a book has the potential to appraise a different angle of health information and literacy which has rarely been made available in discussions about the phenomenon within the health care setting, since these sources are usually biased to the views of persons with adequate literacy. Therefore, this book will highlight key considerations for stakeholders who desire to improve the delivery of health information to persons with lower literacy levels. The book sums up important literature, procedures and findings from investigations with indigenous people within the South African health setting and also offers relevant summaries and recommendations in a user-friendly manner whose readability level can reach a wider audience. This is useful since the objectives of this book is to enhance the work of public health and community workers who could be researchers and scholars and health care providers at different levels i.e., both clinical and non-clinical. This book is distinctive from others on the similar subject because most books on health communication, literacy and promotion have predominantly focused on online resources and their credibility. These books are also published on case studies from the high-income countries such as the US; targeting literacy in babies, infants, or school going young people. Whereas, this book focuses on the adult population, those with low literacy, and its attendant effects on the effective dissemination and understanding of health information on living with chronic illness such as HIV/AIDS. Moreover, through literature on the theories of information processing, the book unpacks insights on the dual information processing of both written text and visual aids, and why this is significant for the dissemination of health information to the low literate adults. This approach breaks away from traditional understandings of health interventions based on theories of social behavioural changes; ecological theories. Overall, the book also outlines the advantages of involving persons with low literacy in the development of health education materials and the selection of culturally appropriate visual aids.