Using the teach-back method to increase maternal immunization literacy among low-income pregnant women in Jamaica: a pilot study

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess maternal health literacy of pregnant women in Jamaica and evaluate their ability to communicate the benefits, risks, and safety of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and Hepatitis B (hep B) vaccines after using the teach back method. REALM scores were moderately, positively correlated with identification of the BCG vaccine risks (r = .43, p = .01) and with hep B vaccine benefits (r = .34, p = .05) and risks (r = .42, p = .01). Women who gave incorrect responses about the benefits or risks of the vaccines had lower REALM scores than women who gave completely correct or partially correct responses.