Genomic Health Literacy Interventions in Pediatrics: Scoping Review

Health literacy & Chagas disease knowledge: A cross-sectional study in Southern Loja Province, Ecuador

Objective

Health literacy is associated with many patient outcomes. This study sought to determine the association between a person's level of health literacy and their knowledge about Chagas disease.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with people living in two counties in rural Loja Province, Ecuador who attended a mobile health clinic. The communities in which the study was conducted are at high risk of Chagas disease and have limited access to both health care and educational resources. The Spanish version of Short Assessment for Health Literacy measured health literacy. The Chagas Disease Knowledge questionnaire measured knowledge of Chagas disease. T-tests and correlational analysis were used to assess associations.

Results

Overall 85 people participated in this study. A majority of the respondents were female (64.1%), and a plurality were married (40.7%) and had education less than secondary (40.7%). The average age of the sample was 44.31 ± 18.85. Health literacy levels and Chagas disease knowledge in the communities were low. About half of people had inadequate health literacy. No association between health literacy and Chagas knowledge was found.

Conclusion

Health literacy levels and Chagas disease knowledge were not found to be correlated. Explanations for the lack of association may include common causes of inadequate investment in Chagas disease education as well as neglect of health systems in rural Ecuador. Efforts to improve both health literacy and Chagas disease knowledge in poorer, rural areas of Ecuador are needed.

Innovation

This is the first study to assess relationships between health literacy and knowledge of Chagas disease in an uninfected population. For novel conditions, relationships between health literacy and disease knowledge should be investigated before communication campaigns are adapted.

Genetic literacy and experiential knowledge on sickle cell disease among Canadian- and foreign-born male and female Anglophone and Francophone youth in Canada

OBJECTIVES

Growing global human mobility raises concerns about impacts on global health, particularly on the prevalence of sickle cell disease. This research unveiled the level of genetic literacy on sickle cell disease of male and female Anglophone and Francophone youth living in Canada. The research responded to questions about whether the type of information about the disease has been more prevalent among the youth's family, friends, acquaintances and school circles, and the influence of such information on shaping the current youth level of genetic literacy on the disease.

METHODS

An online survey hosted by a Canadian university (2019/2020) platform was conducted with youth (n=87, aged 16-29) recruited in their natural, social environments in seven Canadian provinces. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and manual qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Youth, mostly Canadian-born, 71.42 % Francophones and 67.12 % Anglophones, descend from parents who had been born in countries at risk for the disease. Results indicated that experiential knowledge is due to the familiarity with the disease occurrence among family members and acquaintances. Participants did not comment about how academic-gained knowledge could influence their own decision on becoming a parent.

CONCLUSIONS

Independently of their country of birth, Canadian youth seem to have unmet information needs: a complex challenge requiring creativity and simplicity to deliver information through attractive media.

Effects of Exposure to an Entertainment-Based Genetic Testing Narrative on Genetic Testing Knowledge, Attitudes and Counseling Discussion Intentions

This study explores the effects of exposure to a reality television narrative depicting genetic testing on attitudes and intentions, looking particularly at the effects of narratives containing elements of misinformation on genetics-related knowledge accuracy. In an experiment, participants completed a baseline survey, viewed a high versus low-accuracy narrative, then completed a follow-up survey. Exposure to a low-accuracy narrative was associated with lower knowledge accuracy. Indirect effects of identification and transportation on intentions to talk to a doctor about genetic testing also were detected via attitudes and reduced message counterarguing. Results illustrate the negative implications of inaccurate narratives on knowledge, which is concerning given the public's low level of genetic literacy, as well as the critical role narrative engagement may play in shaping public attitudes and intentions regarding genetic testing.