Evaluation of Readability of Health Leaflets and Health Literacy of Elderly Inpatients in a Medical Cente

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the readability of health information leaflets (C. T. consent form and hospital guidelines) and health literacy of elderly inpatients. Methods: The participants were 138 elderly Korean inpatients aged 60 years and over admitted to an advanced general hospital. Readability was assessed by having participants check leaflets for difficulty in reading and then classifying their checked vocabulary by Korean Vocabulary Level book. Health literacy was measured with five open questions on comprehension of the leaflets. Results: The readability for informed consent form was more difficult than that of hospital guidelines because of specialized medical vocabulary. The mean score for health literacy was 1.9 on a 5-point scale. There were statistically significant differences in readability and health literacy by education and religion. The scores for readability of health leaflets and health literacy were negatively correlated, implying that the easier it is to read the vocabulary of the leaflets, the higher the comprehension of the material. The factor that most highly influenced health literacy of elderly inpatients was readability. Conclusion: Health leaflets in medical centers should be written for easy reading by using simpler vocabulary for elderly inpatients to improve their health literacy.