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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
The association among literacy, numeracy, HIV knowledge and health-seeking behavior: A population-based survey of women in rural Mozambique
PLoS ONE, Volume 7, No. 6, Article e39391, Year 2012
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Description
Background: Limited literacy skills are common in the United States (US) and are related to lower HIV knowledge and worse health behaviors and outcomes. The extent of these associations is unknown in countries like Mozambique, where no rigorously validated literacy and numeracy measures exist. Methods: A validated measure of literacy and numeracy, the Wide Range Achievement Test, version 3 (WRAT-3) was translated into Portuguese, adapted for a Mozambican context, and administered to a cross-section of female heads-of-household during a provincially representative survey conducted from August 8 to September 25, 2010. Construct validity of each subscale was examined by testing associations with education, income, and possession of socioeconomic assets, stratified by Portuguese speaking ability. Multivariable regression models estimated the association among literacy/numeracy and HIV knowledge, self-reported HIV testing, and utilization of prenatal care. Results: Data from 3,557 women were analyzed; 1,110 (37.9%) reported speaking Portuguese. Respondents' mean age was 31.2; 44.6% lacked formal education, and 34.3% reported no income. Illiteracy was common (50.4% of Portuguese speakers, 93.7% of non-Portuguese speakers) and the mean numeracy score (10.4) corresponded to US kindergarten-level skills. Literacy or numeracy was associated (p<0.01) with education, income, age, and other socioeconomic assets. Literacy and numeracy skills were associated with HIV knowledge in adjusted models, but not with HIV testing or receipt of clinic-based prenatal care. Conclusion: The adapted literacy and numeracy subscales are valid for use with rural Mozambican women. Limited literacy and numeracy skills were common and associated with lower HIV knowledge. Further study is needed to determine the extent to which addressing literacy/numeracy will lead to improved health outcomes. © 2012 Ciampa et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Ciampa, Philip J.
United States, Nashville
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
United States, Nashville
Vanderbilt University
Vaz, Lara M.E.
United States, Nashville
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Mozambique, Maputo
Friends in Global Health
Blevins, Meridith L.
United States, Nashville
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Sidat, Mohsin M.
Mozambique, Maputo
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane
Rothman, Russell L.
United States, Nashville
Vanderbilt University
Vermund, Sten Havlor
United States, Nashville
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vergara, Alfredo E.
United States, Nashville
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Statistics
Citations: 52
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0039391
e-ISSN:
19326203
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Mozambique
Participants Gender
Female