Health Literacy in Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease

To evaluate health literacy in a cohort of 75 adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD).

This cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study included assessment of demographic measures and appraisal of data resulting from completion of the REALM-Teen and Newest Vital Sign (NVS) instruments by 75 Black, non-Hispanic adolescents with SCD. Convenience sampling was utilized. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of one of the four primary genotypes of SCD and age 10-19years.

Thirty-seven males and 38 females were recruited for the study. Their mean age was 14.7years (SD=2.2; range 8.1). Their grade level ranged from 4 to 12 (mean 8.7; SD=2.2). Scores on the REALM-Teen ranged from 12 to 66 (mean 53.7; SD=12.8). Scores on the NVS ranged from 0 to 6 (mean 2.37; SD=1.33). These health literacy scores were lower using both the REALM-Teen and the NVS instruments when compared to scores in all healthy adolescents and adults. Current grade level and health literacy scores showed a moderately high positive correlation (r=0.52, p<0.01). Health literacy scores were also significantly positively correlated with age (r=0.49, p<0.01) and income (r=0.37, p<0.01).

Health literacy in adolescents with SCD is suboptimal. Future research should include identifying facilitators and barriers to health literacy levels in a larger cohort of adolescents with SCD.

Health literacy is a potential facilitator of successful health outcomes for all adolescents. This study lays a solid foundation for future adolescent health literacy initiatives.