advance-nursing-practice-2018-posters-abstracts

Advance Nursing Practice 2018

J u n e 2 1 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 8

P a r i s , F r a n c e

Page 89

Journal of Nursing and Health Studies

ISSN 2574-2825

t h

I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e o n

Advance Nursing Practice

ow literacy can be described as the inability to read, write and use numbers effectively. In South Africa, one in six people are func-

tionally illiterate. Health literacy is the ability to read, understand and act on healthcare information. The impact of low literacy of pa-

tients in primary care clinics is that patients may have difficulty in understanding health care instructions as well as making appropriate

health care decisions. Most health care professionals are not aware of their patients’ low literacy levels. The REALM-R (SA) is a health

literacy assessment instrument that was adapted and validated for South African use and assesses patient’s health literacy levels. The

REALM-R (SA) is a quick, user friendly tool that can be administered in 2-3minutes in a busy primary care clinic. Patients are required to

read down a list of eight medical terms commonly used ranging in difficulty and complexity. A final score out of eight gives an indication

of the patient’s health literacy level in relation to school grades. A cut-off point for the REALM-R (SA) was established as 6 out of 8, with

those scoring 6 and less considered to have low health literacy levels. Determining the patient’s health literacy level can assist in giving

health education at the level of the patient’s understanding and in turn combating adverse health outcomes.

Introduction of the REALM-R (SA) as a health

literacy assessment tool

Zelda Janse van Rensburg

University of Johannesburg, South Africa

J Nurs Health Stud 2018, Volume: 3

DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C3-009