Health Literacy and Pregnancy Preparedness in Pregestational Diabetes
- Loraine K. Endres, MD1,
- Lisa K. Sharp, PHD2,
- Elaine Haney, BS, MS3 and
- Sharon L. Dooley, MD, MPH1
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- 2Department of Family Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- 3Evanston Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Evanston, Illinois
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Loraine K. Endres, MD, University of Illinois, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 820 S. Wood St., MC 808, Chicago, IL 60612. E-mail: lendres{at}uic.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE—We investigated the association between functional health literacy and markers of pregnancy preparedness in women with pregestational diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—English- and Spanish-speaking pregnant women with pregestational diabetes were recruited. Women completed the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) short form and a questionnaire. A TOFHLA score of ≤30 was defined as low functional health literacy.
RESULTS—Of 74 women participating in the study, 16 (22%) were classified as having low functional health literacy. Compared with women with adequate health literacy, those with low health literacy were significantly more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy (P = 0.02) and significantly less likely to have either discussed pregnancy ahead of time with an endocrinologist or obstetrician (P = 0.01) or taken folic acid (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS—The results of this study suggest that low functional health literacy among women with pregestational diabetes is associated with several factors that may adversely impact birth outcomes.
Footnotes
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A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
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- Accepted October 15, 2003.
- Received June 9, 2003.
- DIABETES CARE
