Abstract
Little is known about the relationship among acculturation, literacy, and health skills in Latino caregivers of young children.
Latino caregivers of children < 30 months seeking primary care at four medical centers were administered measures of acculturation
(SASH), functional health literacy (STOFHLA), numeracy (WRAT-3) and health-related skills (PHLAT Spanish). Child anthropomorphics
and immunization status were ascertained by chart review. Caregivers (N = 184) with a median age of 27 years (IQR: 23–32)
participated; 89.1 % were mothers, and 97.1 % had low acculturation. Lower SASH scores were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with lower STOFHLA (ρ = 0.21), WRAT-3 (ρ = 0.25), and PHLAT Spanish scores (ρ = 0.34). SASH scores predicted PHLAT
Spanish scores in a multivariable linear regression model that adjusted for the age of child, the age and gender of the caregiver,
number of children in the family, the type of health insurance of the caregiver, and study site (adjusted β: 0.84, 95 % CI
0.26–1.42, P = 0.005). This association was attenuated by the addition of literacy (adjusted β: 0.66, 95 % CI 0.11–1.21, P = 0.02) or numeracy (adjusted β: 0.50, 95 % CI −0.04–1.04, P = 0.07) into the model. There was no significant association between acculturation and up-to-date child immunizations or
a weight status of overweight/obese. Lower acculturation was associated with worse health literacy and diminished ability
to perform child health-related skills. Literacy and numeracy skills attenuated the association between acculturation and
child health skills. These associations may help to explain some child health disparities in Latino communities.
Latino caregivers of children < 30 months seeking primary care at four medical centers were administered measures of acculturation
(SASH), functional health literacy (STOFHLA), numeracy (WRAT-3) and health-related skills (PHLAT Spanish). Child anthropomorphics
and immunization status were ascertained by chart review. Caregivers (N = 184) with a median age of 27 years (IQR: 23–32)
participated; 89.1 % were mothers, and 97.1 % had low acculturation. Lower SASH scores were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with lower STOFHLA (ρ = 0.21), WRAT-3 (ρ = 0.25), and PHLAT Spanish scores (ρ = 0.34). SASH scores predicted PHLAT
Spanish scores in a multivariable linear regression model that adjusted for the age of child, the age and gender of the caregiver,
number of children in the family, the type of health insurance of the caregiver, and study site (adjusted β: 0.84, 95 % CI
0.26–1.42, P = 0.005). This association was attenuated by the addition of literacy (adjusted β: 0.66, 95 % CI 0.11–1.21, P = 0.02) or numeracy (adjusted β: 0.50, 95 % CI −0.04–1.04, P = 0.07) into the model. There was no significant association between acculturation and up-to-date child immunizations or
a weight status of overweight/obese. Lower acculturation was associated with worse health literacy and diminished ability
to perform child health-related skills. Literacy and numeracy skills attenuated the association between acculturation and
child health skills. These associations may help to explain some child health disparities in Latino communities.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9613-7
- Authors
- Philip J. Ciampa, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2525 West End Avenue, Suite 725, Nashville, TN 37203-1738, USA
- Richard O. White, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA
- Eliana M. Perrin, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- H. Shonna Yin, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Lee M. Sanders, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Eryka A. Gayle, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Russell L. Rothman, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2525 West End Avenue, Suite 725, Nashville, TN 37203-1738, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912