Sign Language, The Key to Improve the Health Knowledge of Deaf People
Background: Health literacy is one of the determinants of an individual’s health. Deaf people, as a social minority, have limited access to information sources and healthcare providers. The present study aimed to examine the barriers, facilities and strategies of Deaf people health literacy promotion from points of view of this population and informants. Methods: A qualitative study using conventional content analysis was conducted. Focus group discussion sessions were held with 14 individuals (8 were men) with different occupational positions such as linguists, interpreter advisor, legal experts and heads of Deaf institutes. The participants were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Five FGD sessions were held. Data analysis accomplished according to conventional content analysis. Results: The results were classified into three categories as: barriers (“limited communication with health care providers” and “limited access to health information sources”), facilities (“supportive laws” and “the activities of the supportive institutes for deaf people”) and strategies (“Deaf-tailored health information” and “the usage of interpreter services”) of Deaf people’s health literacy promotion. Conclusion: According to the existing supportive laws due to the right of using the sign language and the interpreters for equal access to health services, it can reduce the limitations of access to health information sources and communication with healthcare providers. It is highly recommended that professional interpreters should be used to facilitate communication.
