Objective: Health literacy measurement can help inform healthcare service delivery. The objective of this
study is to identify validated tools to measure health literacy among Spanish speakers and to summarize
characteristics that are relevant when selecting tools for use in clinical or research settings.
Methods: An English and Spanish search of 9 databases was conducted between October 2014 and May
2015. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles presenting initial validation and psychometric
properties of a tool to measure health literacy among Spanish speaking patients. Characteristics relevant
to tool selection were reviewed and presented.
Results: Twentyarticles validating 19 instrumentsmetinclusioncriteria. Instruments were designedforuse
with Spanish speakers in numerous contexts and measured different health literacy skills such as reading
comprehension or numeracy. Methods used to validate tools were inconsistent across instruments.
Conclusion: Although tools have inconsistencies and inefficiencies, many can be used for assessment of
health literacy among Spanish speakers.
Practice implications: Healthcare providers, organizations, and researchers can use this review to select
effective health literacy tools to indicate patient’s ability to understand and use health information so that
services and materials can be more appropriately tailored to Spanish speaking patients.
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