Evaluation of educational materials from a social marketing campaign to promote folic acid use among Hispanic women: insight from Cuban and Puerto Rican ethnic subgroups

J Immigr Minor Health. 2009 Oct;11(5):406-14. doi: 10.1007/s10903-008-9162-2. Epub 2008 Jun 17.

Abstract

Current data indicate significant disparities in awareness and use of folic acid between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. Hispanic women are less likely to have heard about folic acid, to know that folic acid can prevent birth defects, to take folic acid daily, and to take folic acid before pregnancy. "Three Sisters/Las Tres Hermanos" is a folic acid social marketing campaign designed for Mexican-American women. To determine the effectiveness of the materials on other Hispanic sub groups, women of childbearing age from Cuba and Puerto Rico were recruited to evaluate the materials. Participants were asked five pre-test questions about folic acid knowledge and were then provided with the folic acid educational materials that included either a photo-novella and a low literacy brochure, or a video-novella in English or Spanish. Once the participants reviewed the materials, they were asked 10 post-test questions about the materials. The results of the evaluation are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Awareness
  • Communication
  • Cuba / ethnology
  • Culture
  • Data Collection
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Promotion*
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Perception
  • Pregnancy
  • Puerto Rico / ethnology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Social Marketing*
  • United States
  • Vitamin B Complex / therapeutic use*
  • Women's Health*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Folic Acid