title: Parent health literacy and adherence-related outcomes in children with epilepsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between parent health literacy and adherence to treatment in children with epilepsy has not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to determine whether parent health literacy and other variables predicted factors associated with adherence, such as missed medication doses, missed medical appointments, and seizure frequency, in children with epilepsy between 1 and 12 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was hypothesized that parents with adequate parent health literacy would report fewer missed doses, missed appointments, and seizure occurrences. Using a nonexperimental, cross-sectional study design, interviews were conducted with 146 parents and guardians of children with epilepsy who resided in rural communities. Univariate analyses, including ANOVA, and multiple linear regressions were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that parent health literacy was the strongest predictor of two of the adherence-related factors. Higher health literacy scores were associated with fewer missed medication doses and seizure occurrences. However, health literacy was not associated with missed medical appointments. Among other study variables, higher household income was also predictive of fewer missed doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study findings suggest that inadequate health literacy among parents may serve as an independent risk factor for adherence-related outcomes among children with epilepsy. Further research, as well as effective, targeted parent health literacy strategies used to improve epilepsy management and care in children, is recommended.
authors: Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA. Electronic address: apaschal@ches.ua.edu.
authors: Angelia M
authors: AM
authors: Paschal
authors: Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, USA. Electronic address: qpmitchell@crimson.ua.edu.
authors: Qshequilla P
authors: QP
authors: Mitchell
authors: Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA. Electronic address: jdwilroy@crimson.ua.edu.
authors: Jereme D
authors: JD
authors: Wilroy
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA. Electronic address: Suzanne.Hawley@wichita.edu.
authors: Suzanne R
authors: SR
authors: Hawley
authors: Center for Community-Based Partnerships, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA. Electronic address: jbmitchell1@crimson.ua.edu.
authors: Jermaine B
authors: JB
authors: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adherence; Appointment; Children; Compliance wit medication; Epilepsy; Health literacy; Seizure