A mixed methods analysis of health literacy among adults with brachial plexus birth injury.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to characterize health literacy among adults with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) and identify challenges and opportunities to improve BPBI care for affected adults.MethodsA prior multiphase, mixed methods outcomes study of adults with BPBI identified health literacy as salient factor needing further analysis. The current convergent mixed methods secondary analysis thus combined relevant quantitative and qualitative data from this prior study specifically to analyze health literacy in this population. Quantitative data included five scales of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) (n = 147). Qualitative data included open-ended survey responses (n = 183) and individual interviews (n = 12). The qualitative data from the surveys and interviews were combined and coded. Then qualitative data and quantitative data were merged in joint displays, utilizing the qualitative data to expand on the quantitative findings.ResultsMean HLQ scores were midrange with wide standard deviations. Corresponding qualitative data tended to cluster at the negative and positive extremes. Negative health literacy experiences revealed opportunities for improving care for affected adults, while positive experiences provided examples to guide such improvement.ConclusionHealth literacy varies among adults with BPBI. In this variability lie opportunities for improving overall care for affected individuals throughout the lifespan.