Literacy of women attending family planning clinics in Virginia and reading levels of brochures on HIV prevention
Wells, J.A.; Ruscavage, D.; Parker, B.; McArthur, L.
Family Planning Perspectives 26(3): 113-5 131
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-7354 PMID: 8070547 DOI: 10.2307/2136035Document Number: 289365
A review of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention educational materials distributed at Title X-funded family planning clinics in Virginia revealed a poor fit between the reading level of the materials and the literacy level of the intended audiences. The mean reading level of the 112 brochures on HIV analyzed was grade 9.9. The 29 brochures aimed at minority women had a mean reading level of grade 9.1, while the 12 intended for adolescents had a mean level of grade 8.3. The educational level of family planning clients as a group and specific target populations were calculated from data collected on 566 clients at 23 Virginia clinics. This analysis indicated that the educational attainment of 18% of Virginia family planning clients is below that required to read the HIV materials; this equates to a total of 14,500 women. If it is assumed that actual reading level is two grades lower than completed years of schooling, this figure escalates to 39%, or 32,221 women. The proportion of women whose educational attainment equaled or exceeded the reading level of the specially targeted brochures was 6% among minority women and 16% for adolescents. Greater attention to the readability of HIV educational materials is urged.