Sofia B Mohamed, Sumaya Kambal, Sabah A E Ibrahim, Esra Abdalwhab, Abdalla Munir, Arwa Ibrahim, Qurashi Mohamed Ali
Bioinformatics in Sudan: Status and challenges case study: The National University-Sudan
PLoS computational biology
determine ability patients complete successfully basic reading numeracy tasks required function adequately health care settingcrosssectional surveytwo urban public hospitalsa total 2659 predominantly indigent minority patients 1892 englishspeaking 767 spanishspeaking presenting acute carefunctional health literacy measured test functional health literacy adults tofhla instrument measures ability read understand medical instructions health care information presented prose passages passages containing numerical information eg prescription bottle labels appointment slipsa high proportion patients unable read understand written basic medical instructions 2659 patients 1106 416 unable comprehend directions taking medication empty stomach 691 26 unable understand information regarding next appointment scheduled 1582 595 could understand standard informed consent document total 665 351 1892 englishspeaking patients 473 617 767 spanishspeaking patients inadequate marginal functional health literacy prevalence inadequate marginal functional health literacy among elderly age 60 years 813 187230 englishspeaking patients 826 5769 spanishspeaking patients significantly higher p 001 younger patientsmany patients institutions cannot perform basic reading tasks required function health care environment inadequate health literacy may important barrier patients understanding diagnoses treatments receiving highquality care