title: Can easy-to-read immunization information increase knowledge in urban low-income mothers?
abstract: This article describes a pilot study that (1) assessed the self-report of highest grade completed in school and the actual reading and comprehension skills of low-income mothers whose children receive immunizations in urban public clinics and (2) tested the effectiveness of a nursing intervention on immunization knowledge using revised easy-to-read written education materials. Thirty-seven mothers were randomized either to a control group (asked to read the standard vaccine information sheets) or to an experimental group (asked to read the revised immunization pamphlets). Although there was a modest increase in immunization knowledge for both groups, it was not significant. Thus, simplifying information alone may not increase parental knowledge.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. aa3107@wayne.edu
authors.forename: Feleta L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Dora L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stephens-Ferris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D032882:Comprehension; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010174:Pamphlets; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D014611:Vaccination / Q000451:nursing