Assesment of Health Literacy Practices from Adult Learning Perspectives: The Case of Health Care Centers in Addis Ababa
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main purpose of the tudy wa . to investigate into the health literacy practices of health
centres of Addis Ababa from adl!lt learning perspectives. T~e study aimed at answering basic
research questions with regards to the types of health literacy practices provided, its '
considerations of adult learning perspectives and the major challenges encountered The
study participants were randomly selected adult attendees of health literacy lessons and
health professionals who provided the health literacy lessons. The study settings were 5 out of
the 25 health centres found in Addis Ababa city administration selected through a two stage
simple random sampling of lottery technique. Overall, a total of 181 (J 50 adult learners and
31 health professionals) participants took part in the study. As to the selection of adult
learners, 75 male and 75 female participants were randomly selected from the 5 health
centres, 30 (15 male and 15 female) from each of the health centres. Here, participants were
randomly selected based upon the entry criteria: having attended a health literacy lesson at
least once the previous year and opting to participate in the study voluntarily. As to selection
of health profes ionals, a total of 31 health professionals representing the selected five health
centres were randomly selected taking 5 to 7 health professionals from each of the health
centres. For the triangulation of the study, a mixed approach was employed comprising both
quantitative and qualitative methods. A descriptive survey method was the major approach
employed for the study. Hence, questionnaires, interview guides, focus- group discussion
guide and an observation checklist were developed and ,employed in the data collection
process preceded by a pilot testing. The analysis of the data was performed using quantitative
percentage analysis and qualitative thematic analysis. The findings of the study have shown
that predominantly oral lecture- based, prevention- oriented and group-based health literacy
lessons were provided in the health centres. However, according to the study findings, core
adult learning principles were not given due and satisfactory considerations in the
implementation of the health literacy lessons in the health centres. Thus, the study results
across the main dimensions had shown that the content selection, teaching methodologies,
and physical and psychological environment were not in line with core adult learning
prinCiples. With regard to the major challenges encountered in the implementation of health
literacy lessons, the majority of adult learner participants rated in descending order that
there are problems in facilities, teaching methods, competence and commitment of health
literacy educators. On the other hand, majority of health professionals pointed out that lack
of responsible body to give attention for the follow up, lack of motivation from adult learners'
side, lack of readiness and efficiency in health literacy educators' side as major challenges
encountered in descending ordllr as among the major challenges observed in the health
centres. Clear organizational.' tructure, accountable leadership, facilitation of appealing
physical and psychological enllironment, participatory approach in content selection and
lesson presentations, the use vf flexible programs and alternative options of mediums in
presenting the lessons, facilit .ting resource centers and the provision of in-service trainings
on the teaching of adults for health professionals, widening the horizon of the program and
the study sphere were the m.ljor recommendations provided
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Keywords
Health Literacy Practices from, Adult Learning Perspectives