Susan Roberts-Dobie

The Numeracy Demands of Health Education Information: An Examination of Numerical Concepts in Written Diabetes Materials

The comprehension of numerical concepts that appear in written health educational materials is an important aspect of health literacy. Health materials that include many advanced numerical concepts may place high demands on readers, especially those with low health literacy levels. The purpose of this study was to examine and document the types of numerical concepts that appear in passages selected from written diabetes educational materials that varied in their type of content. Readability of the passages was also analyzed. One hundred and fifty passages of 100 words each were selected from 50 diabetes-related educational documents, produced by major health organizations. Passages were coded for type of numerical concept, SMOG Reading Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease, and features that elaborated the numerical concepts, such as pictures or explanations. Findings indicate that passages containing general information about diabetes and its prevention contained significantly more advanced numerical concepts, the highest reading grade level, the lowest reading ease scores, and the lowest frequency of elaborative features, relative to many other types of content. Recommendations are made for enhancing the presentation of numerical concepts in written diabetes educational materials.

‘Give us the words’: Protestant faith leaders and sexuality education in their churches

Abstract A small sample of faith leaders from the USA’s three largest Mainline Protestant denominations (American Baptist, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and Methodist) were interviewed as part of a case study regarding sexuality education in their churches. The interview schedule, based on a previous Alan Guttmacher Institute designed questionnaire, prompted responses related to sexuality education delivery in church, denominational policies on sexuality education, thoughts on churches’ role in sexuality education, and characteristics of an ideal sexuality education curriculum for their church. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using an open coding process to create a comprehensive understanding of themes and patterns in the data. Transcripts were then reviewed, identifying notable quotes and comments that aligned with the trends and patterns that had emerged. Interviews revealed five themes, (a) the church’s role in sexuality education, (b) congregation reaction, (c) negatives related to teaching sexuality education, (d) God’s intent for sex, and (e) the ideal curriculum. Faith leaders’ comments indicated that churches may be an underutilised but willing partner in comprehensive sexuality education efforts, but need support from health/sexuality educators to build and deliver the curriculum.

The Speak UP! Salon Project: Using Hair Stylists as Lay Health Educators About Unintended Pregnancy

The Speak UP! Salon Project trained 126 hair stylists from 60 salons as lay health educators to increase knowledge about contraceptives and inform clients about financial support for long-acting reversible contraceptives at local family planning clinics. Stylists’ informal social support system, combined with the rapport built with clients over time, make them excellent candidates for lay health educator projects. This 3-year salon-based intervention was implemented in nine counties in a Midwestern state. Results from a subsample of participants who completed an online questionnaire (n = 177) indicate that hair stylists are a feasible method to link target populations to health information and to the health care system. The benefits and challenges of collecting data in a salon environment are also discussed.

Lessons from the field: A mixed methods analysis of hair stylists’ reflections on their experience as lay health educators

ABSTRACT Beauty salons are unique settings to provide community-based health education. The Speak UP! Salon Project trained hair stylists to deliver health messages related to reducing unintended pregnancy to female clients in the 18–30-year age range. The project ran from 2009 through 2011. Midway through the project, we held focus groups with stylists and administered a questionnaire as concurrent process evaluation measures. Forty-seven of the ninety-three stylists then active in the project attended one of eleven focus groups. The focus groups included questions about stylists’ experiences and their reflections on their role as lay health educators. Using Krueger’s qualitative methodology, we systematically analyzed the focus group transcripts. Six themes emerged from the focus groups, including stylists’ ability to deliver lay health education, increased comfort levels, stylists’ self-monitoring, support materials, messaging outside the target audience, and intangible benefits to the stylists. The questionnaire included twenty-six items and provided quantitative support for identified themes. Findings indicated that stylists were a strong and willing community partner for delivering health education, they received substantial positive feedback from clients, and their efforts reached individuals far beyond the target audience; however, professional health educators must provide substantial training and support to ensure the program’s success.