Health literacy and PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 completion in urogynecology patients.

introduction and hypothesisOur objectives were to describe the health literacy (HL) of urogynecology patients, characterize women with and without adequate HL, and compare errors made on the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7.

methodsEnglish-speaking women presenting to an academic urogynecology clinic in June-July 2018 were invited to complete questionnaires including the Newest Vital Sign™ (NVS), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-Short Form 20 (PFDI-20), and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-Short Form 7 (PFIQ-7). An NVS score > 4 indicated adequate HL. Descriptive analyses compared women with and without adequate HL and the rates and types of errors made on the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7.

resultsThe mean age of participants (N = 115) was 65 + 15 years; 87% were white/Caucasian; 62% were college-educated. NVS scores indicated likely adequate HL in 61%. Participants at risk for limited HL (39%) were older, less educated, more likely to live alone, and more likely to require assistance to manage their healthcare (all p < 0.05). Those requesting help to complete the questionnaires (29%) had lower HL. Errors occurred more often on the PFDI-20 (44%) than PFIQ-7 (5%) regardless of HL status. Those who received help were less likely to make errors on the PFDI-20 (p < 0.05).

conclusionsOverall 39% of patients were at risk for limited HL. Older age, living alone, less education, and requiring assistance to manage healthcare increased risk of limited HL. Errors were more common on the PFDI-20 than PFIQ-7 regardless of HL status and occurred even when participants received help completing the questionnaires, though less frequently.