Health Literacy and Cardiovascular Knowledge Workshop in Women From Disadvantaged Communities

The current health literacy (HL) pilot intervention was designed through focus groups with women in low socio-economic status (SES) communities. The primary HL issue identified was communication challenges at doctors' visits. As a unique HL intervention tailored to the participants' preferences, this intervention can serve as a model for improving HL in similar communities worldwide.

Objectives include increasing the percentage of women who utilize patient-doctor communication skills, prepare for their doctor's visit, and increase their cardiovascular disease (CVD) knowledge.

In order to accomplish these objectives, a unique HL intervention tailored to the participants' preferences was designed which consisted of three workshops conducted in municipality-sponsored women's groups in low SES Jerusalem communities. This intervention consisted of a three consecutive weekly workshop conducted in women's support groups in disadvantaged communities in Jerusalem. The workshop includes women's heart health sessions, as well as sessions about how to make the most of a doctor's visit, which includes role play and teach back method practice. A self-admitted questionnaire regarding CVD and relevant HL knowledge and behaviors was completed at the beginning of the intervention, and three months after the last session.

This study answers the question of whether a three session HL workshop for women can successfully raise their CVD knowledge and awareness, as well as change behaviors of women in terms of preparing for doctor's visits.