Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
AIDS literacy: developing effective educational materials for Latina women with low literacy skills.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11;9(1):102 (abstract no. WS-C21-5). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/93333233 Quinn EA; Ramos LJ; Martinez M; Fischbach L; Dent C; Department of Family Medicine, University of Southern California, Los; Angeles.
Abstract:
This project developed an economical, easily reproduced, and culturally specific method of creating illustrated educational materials for the prevention of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases for Latina women in Los Angeles County. A participatory model, based on the educational theories of functional literacy, visual literacy, learner verification, the health belief model, and the work of Paolo Freire, guided the design. Over 260 Latina women with a range of literacy skills participated in the development and testing of the materials. A four phase model was used: 1) Two Latino artists developed more than 100 illustrations depicting 50 ways that Latinas believed AIDS could be transmitted using ethnographic data on Latinas living in Los Angeles County. The illustrations were tested for visual literacy by 92 women. Illustrations were redrawn and retested until at least 60% of the women understood the AIDS risk depicted; 2). The womens' correct descriptions of the illustrations were used to develop written phrases describing AIDS risks. These phrases were tested for verbal and written literacy by 37 women. Steps 1 & 2 were repeated using sexual anatomy drawings and words to test sexual literacy levels; 3) Focus groups were conducted to further refine some illustrations, including condom and dental dam instructions, and words; 4) 177 Latinas participated in a study comparing the use of standard AIDS prevention materials and the newly developed experimental materials. The results of the study indicate that the materials are effective in educating women of risk behaviors as well as teaching them about human sexuality. These materials are highly specific to Latinas in Southern California however the process of developing these materials can be used for the development of economical, low technological AIDS literacy prevention projects globally.
Keywords: *Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PREVENTION & CONTROL *Educational Status *Health Education/METHODS *Hispanic Americans *Women 931130
M93B5815
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
