Effectiveness of using picture-based health education for people with low health literacy: An integrative review

Abstract

Background: Level of health literacy affects health status. The purpose of this study was to examine and evaluate studies related to picture-based health education materials for people with low health literacy. Methods: Articles from 2001 through October 2015 were searched in the PubMed, CINAHL, and ERIC databases on the web, followed by manual searches of the references in those articles. Results: Of the 11 studies that met the inclusion criteria for this review, 10 showed a positive effect of increasing the health learning abilities of people with low health literacy using picture-based health education. Medication adherence was targeted most often. The majority of the studies measured health literacy using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults, but the health literacy measurements in picture-based health education were nonetheless inconsistent. Discussion: Use of picture-based health education for people with low health literacy was limited. However, the majority of the studies did indicate a positive effect on learning.

Keywords

• picture-based health education
• low health literacy
• cartoon
• pictograph(s)
• illustration
• integrative review