Health Literacy and Pregnancy Preparedness in Pregestational Diabetes

Loraine K. Endres, Elaine Haney, Lisa K. Sharp, Sharon L. Dooley
2004 Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey  
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 Յ30 was defined as low functional health literacy. RESULTS -Of 74 women participating in the study, 16
more » ... (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 ϭ 0.02) and significantly less likely to have either discussed pregnancy ahead of time with an endocrinologist or obstetrician (P ϭ 0.01) or taken folic acid (P ϭ 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. Abbreviations: TOFHLA, Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
doi:10.1097/00006254-200407000-00011 fatcat:6oi4hjxezrfzhjhrcklfmect6i