Public understanding of growth charts: A review of the literature

Abstract Objective To examine current knowledge about the general public's comprehension of growth charts. Methods A literature search was carried out to identify and analyze the findings of studies that have examined the extent to which non-healthcare professionals comprehend the information p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Patient education and counseling 2007-03, Vol.65 (3), p.288-295
Main Authors: Ben-Joseph, Elana Pearl, Dowshen, Steven A, Izenberg, Neil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anthropometry
Attitude to Health
Attitudes
Audiovisual Aids - standards
Chart(s)
Child
Child Development
Comprehension
Developed Countries
Developing Countries
Educational Status
Growth
Growth charts(s)
Health education
Health Education - methods
Health Education - standards
Health knowledge
Health Services Needs and Demand
Humans
Internal Medicine
Mass Screening
Maternal behavior
Mothers/education
Nursing
Parents - education
Parents - psychology
Pediatrics - education
Pediatrics - methods
Practice
Research Design
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Summary:Abstract Objective To examine current knowledge about the general public's comprehension of growth charts. Methods A literature search was carried out to identify and analyze the findings of studies that have examined the extent to which non-healthcare professionals comprehend the information presented by growth charts. Results Few studies have examined how well parents understand growth charts. These studies have mostly been conducted in developing countries and have yielded inconclusive results. Conclusion Growth charts can be useful for such purposes as growth monitoring and public health education, but their effectiveness as an educational tool depends on whether parents and caregivers comprehend the information they offer. The literature has not clearly proven that growth charts are easily understood by the general population. Practice implications Further studies of the public's understanding of growth charts are needed to help guide health care providers in their use of growth charts as educational tools.
ISSN:0738-3991
1873-5134
DOI:10.1016/j.pec.2006.09.001