The author delves into the problem of health literacy concerning hypertension among Hispanic adults because of poorer treatment outcomes if to compare with non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks (Perez, 2015). For this reason, the given issue acquires the top priority as it is critical to attaining better literacy to improve overall results and guarantee the high quality of Hispanic adults lives.
The central purpose of the paper is to examine the relationship between acculturation, health literacy, and illness perceptions peculiar to Hispanic adults (Perez, 2015). The choice of the given aim is preconditioned by the high risk of acquiring hypertension peculiar to this very population group and the existence of inappropriate treatment outcomes preconditioned by the lack of knowledge about the given health issue.
To investigate the given problem, the author conducts a qualitative study aiming at the in-depth evaluations of patients experiences related to the issue. The researcher uses several specific questionnaires: the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics, the Newest Vital Sign tool to evaluate health literacy, and the Brief Illness Perception (Perez, 2015).
The study involves 144 Hispanic adults who report the diagnosis of Hypertension (Perez, 2015). The given sampling size contributes to the improved credibility of data acquired in the study. The choice of participants was preconditioned by their ethnicity and self-reports about the needed diagnosis. It helps to evaluate their levels of health literacy and other factors associated with the investigated problematic issue.
The data collection procedure is organized through a cross-sectional correlational design (Perez, 2015). All participants have to complete suggested questionnaires to provide information about the existing levels of their knowledge and their perspectives on the illness. The given approach to data collection seems the most appropriate one regarding the peculiarities of the study and its central purpose.
The collected information was analyzed statistically and analytically to determine the general level of health literacy among the participants and their perspectives on hypertension (Perez, 2015). Additionally, the author correlated acquired pieces of data with illness perceptions to conclude about the existing relations between health literacy and poor outcomes associated with the investigated population group.
The involvement of 144 participants also guaranteed the enhanced credibility of data acquired in the course of the experiment. The use of specific questionnaires helped to delve into the researched disease and collect only relevant data about the issue of concern and patients perspectives on it. In these regards, a high level of credibility is attained.
In general, the author presents the central thoughts in a clear and understandable manner. It means that all readers, regardless of their awareness about the issue, can follow her basic assumptions and understand the results suggested at the end of the research.
The given study has a high practical utility. The fact is that the problem discussed by the researcher can be considered a topical health issue. Additionally, there is a tendency towards the deterioration of the situation. For this reason, investigating the problem of poor health literacy among a particular group, the author contributes to the elaboration of a solution to the given problem, and findings can be utilized in other contexts.
Altogether, the author comes to the conclusion that acculturation and health literacy play a fundamental role in the formation of perceptions of hypertension in Hispanic adults and might directly impact treatment outcomes (Perez, 2015). For this reason, it is critical to improving the given aspect to ensure enhanced understanding among patients.
Reference
Perez, A. (2015). Acculturation, health literacy, and illness perceptions of hypertension among Hispanic adults. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(4), 386-394.