Jeanne Rutherford|Ruth Holman|John Macdonald|Avril Taylor|Dominic Jarrett|Alison Bigrigg
Low literacy: a hidden problem in family planning clinics
Ayrshire Central Hospital
low literacy highly prevalent among uk adults study assessed functional health literacy among family planning clinic clients whether associated sexual health knowledge behaviours also assessed readability patient leaflets505 female family planning clinic attendees aged 1635 years interviewed sexual behaviour knowledge reading age assessed using validated test realm readability leaflets contraception supplied clinic users measuredall respondents reading age 12 years 221 438 12 14 years 284 562 greater 14 years lower literacy group significantly likely aged 16 years time first sexual intercourse significantly less likely know fertile time menstrual cycle identify sexually transmitted infections know sexual infections transmitted oral anal sex reading age information leaflets clinics ranged 11 17 years thus clients reading level 1214 years would difficulty understanding leafletsfunctional health literacy related sexual behaviour knowledge written information prepared mind routes communication considered