Parent health literacy and "obesogenic" feeding and physical activity-related infant care behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between parent health literacy and "obesogenic" infant care behaviors. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a cluster randomized controlled trial of a primary care-based early childhood obesity prevention program (Greenlight). English- and Spanish-speaking parents of 2-month-old children were enrolled (n = 844). The primary predictor variable was parent health literacy (Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults; adequate ≥ 23; low <23). Primary outcome variables involving self-reported obesogenic behaviors were: (1) feeding content (more formula than breast milk, sweet drinks, early solid food introduction), and feeding style-related behaviors (pressuring to finish, laissez-faire bottle propping/television [TV] watching while feeding, nonresponsiveness in letting child decide amount to eat); and (2) physical activity (tummy time, TV). Multivariate logistic regression analyses (binary, proportional odds models) performed adjusting for child sex, out-of-home care, Women, Infants, and Children program status, parent age, race/ethnicity, language, number of adults/children in home, income, and site. RESULTS: Eleven percent of parents were categorized as having low health literacy. Low health literacy significantly increased the odds of a parent reporting that they feed more formula than breast milk, (aOR = 2.0 [95% CI: 1.2-3.5]), immediately feed when their child cries (aOR = 1.8 [1.1-2.8]), bottle prop (aOR = 1.8 [1.002-3.1]), any infant TV watching (aOR = 1.8 [1.1-3.0]), and inadequate tummy time (<30 min/d), (aOR = 3.0 [1.5-5.8]). CONCLUSIONS: Low parent health literacy is associated with certain obesogenic infant care behaviors. These behaviors may be modifiable targets for low health literacy-focused interventions to help reduce childhood obesity.

Use of active ingredient information for low socioeconomic status parents' decision-making regarding cough and cold medications: role of health literacy.

OBJECTIVE: Parent administration of multiple medications with overlapping active ingredients places children at risk for overdose. We sought to examine how parents use active ingredient information as part of the process of selecting a cough/cold medication for their child and how health literacy plays a role. METHODS: Experimental study of parents of children presenting for care in an urban public hospital pediatric clinic. Parents were asked to determine which of 3 cough/cold medications could be given to relieve a child's cold symptoms, as part of a scenario in which they had already given a dose of acetaminophen; only 1 did not contain acetaminophen. Primary dependent variable: correct selection of cough/cold medication by using active ingredient as the rationale for choice. Primary independent variable: parent health literacy (Newest Vital Sign test). RESULTS: Of 297 parents, 79.2% had low health literacy (Newest Vital Sign score 0-3); 35.4% correctly chose the cough/cold medication that did not contain acetaminophen. The proportion of those who made the correct choice was no different than expected from chance alone (Goodness of fit test; χ(2) = 2.1, P = .3). Only 7.7% chose the correct medication and used active ingredient as the rationale. Those with adequate literacy skills were more likely to have selected the correct medication and rationale (25.8% vs 3.0% (P = .001); adjusted odds ratio 11.1 (95% confidence interval 3.6-33.7), after we adjusted for sociodemographics, including English proficiency and education. CONCLUSIONS: Many parents, especially those with low health literacy, do not use active ingredient information as part of decision-making related to administering multiple medications.

Health literacy assessment of labeling of pediatric nonprescription medications: examination of characteristics that may impair parent understanding.

OBJECTIVE: Poor quality and variability of medication labeling have been cited as key contributors to medication misuse. We assessed the format and content of labels and materials packaged with common pediatric liquid nonprescription medications. METHODS: Descriptive study. A total of 200 top-selling pediatric oral liquid nonprescription medications (during the 52 weeks ending October 30, 2009) categorized as analgesic, cough/cold, allergy, and gastrointestinal products, with dosing information for children <12 years (representing 99% of U.S. market for these products) were reviewed. The principal display panel (PDP) and FDA Drug Facts panel (side panel) of each bottle, and associated box, if present, were independently examined by 2 abstractors. Outcome measures were content and format of active ingredient information and dosing instructions of the principal display panel and Drug Facts panel. RESULTS: Although almost all products listed active ingredients on the Drug Facts panel (side panel), nearly 1 in 5 (37 [18.5%]) did not list active ingredients on the PDP. When present, mean (SD) font size for PDP active ingredients was 10.7 (5.0), smaller than product brand name (32.1 [15.0]) and flavor (13.1 [4.8]); P < .001. Most products included directions in chart form (bottle: 167 [83.5%], box: 148 [96.1%], P < .001); mean (SD) font size: 5.5 (0.9; bottle), 6.5 (0.5; box), P < .001. Few products expressed dosing instructions in pictographic form: 4 (2.6%) boxes and 0 bottles. Nearly all products included the Food and Drug Administration-mandated sections. CONCLUSIONS: The format and content of labels for nonprescription pediatric liquid medications could be improved to facilitate parent understanding of key medication information, including active ingredient information and dosing instructions.