Developing a framework to identify and respond to health literacy needs usingcommunity-based emergency first aid responders in the Lavender Hill
Data regarding health literacy in South Africa is limited, yet health literacy is critical to consider when addressing the needs of a population that is underserved by the medical community. An increase in health literacy can have a dramatic impact upon community members’ quality of life, life expectancy, and patient outcomes, as well as the successful advancement of the country. Townships and informal settlements surrounding Cape Town have limited access to timely health services, including life-saving emergency care. In recent years a community-based emergency first aid responder (EFAR) program has been created to address this need. EFARs have expressed interest in participating in other health related projects, and have the potential to help address health literacy needs in the Cape Town area. The aim of this study was to validate the use of the HLQ (Health Literacy Questionnaire) in South Africa and use it to develop a framework for EFARs to measure and respond to health literacy needs. After some revision, a validated combined Afrikaans/English HLQ was created for use in South Africa.
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