A study of the health literacy needs of people with visual impairments.
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand preferences surrounding health literacy for 18 men and women with permanent and severe visual impairment (VI). Participants completed demographic questions--the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ)--and 1 semi-structured interview to ascertain views on obtaining, processing, and understanding health information. Overall, the sample had low total eye health scores on the NEI-VFQ--indicating that the sample represented a group with severe visual impairments. The sample mentioned multiple health promotion topics of interest and types of devices used to gain information. They also described multiple barriers to health information, which could be eliminated. Implications for intervention development and technology use are provided.
School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78759, USA. tharrison@mail.nur.utexas.edu
Tracie
T
Harrison
Sarah
S
Guy
Michael
M
Mackert
Janiece
J
Walker
Pat
P
Pound
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*