Effectiveness of film as a health communication tool to improve perceptions and attitudes in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background Health communication tools like film are capable of reducing health disparities and could be effective in addressing negative illness perceptions of MS in Hispanics/Latinx. Objective To test the feasibility of using a culturally appropriate short narrative film to examine illness perceptions overtime and attitudes in Hispanics/Latinx affected with MS. Methods Participants were assigned to view a short narrative film (n = 130) or not (n = 106). The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) was used to examine illness perceptions at baseline, one and three months. Focus groups were conducted at 6 months. Measures of sociocultural integration were obtained. Individual group BIPQ domains were evaluated over time using paired sample t-test. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine predictors of BIPQ change. Results A more positive perception of treatment (p < 0.0001) and understanding (p = 0.0003) were seen at 3 months for those exposed to film. Focus groups were effective in highlighting that the perceived disease prognosis, family support and awareness of MS contributes to attitudes. Exposure to film was found to be the strongest predictor (Beta:6.31, p = 0.01) of BIPQ change at three months. Conclusion Our results provide support that a short narrative film of MS in Hispanics/Latinx is a feasible intervention to change perceptions of MS to a more positive view.

Health Disparities, Inequities, and Social Determinants of Health in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders in the US

“…We found 10 studies supporting that SDOH disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic and Latinx patients in MS outcomes, health care utilization, health behaviors, and lived experience with MS (Table 2; Figure 1B). We found no studies specific to SDOH that pertained to social and community context.…”

“…Lower levels of health literacy are associated with adverse health behaviors and greater health care utilization in MS, 41 and lower health literacy has been reported in low-income Black and Hispanic and Latinx patients with MS compared with White patients with MS. 51 A 2020 prospective longitudinal study randomized 236 Hispanic and Latinx patients to an intervention group viewing a short film about MS or to a usual care group and monitored the patients for 3 months. 48 Compared with those who did not view the film, those exposed to the film had a significant incremental change in their perception of treatment (film, 7.57 to 7.84; no film, 7.97 to 8.34; P < .001) and understanding (film, 7.7 to 8.21; no film, 8.53 to 8.62; P < .001) as scored by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Film was also found to be the strongest predictor (β, 6.31; P = .01) of change independent of education and income.…”

Podcast on Identifying and Understanding Barriers to Care in Underserved Populations With MS in the United States

“…Its goal is to provide better and more targeted treatment and care to this patient population [ 14 ]. Finally, communication initiatives, such as films, can change Hispanic or Latino individuals’ perceptions regarding their understanding and treatment of MS [ 31 ].…”

Eine Übersicht über neuro-ophthalmologische Erkrankungen bei Afroamerikanern und Hispanics mit multipler Sklerose

“…Hispanic, Latino und/oder Latinx werden zwar häufig synonym verwendet, wenn es um die ethnische Zugehörigkeit von Patienten geht, doch es ist zu beachten, dass diese Begriffe unterschiedliche Bedeutungen haben. In dieser Abhandlung bezeichnen wir diejenigen, die sich als Hispanics, Latinos und/oder Latinx identifizieren, als Hispanics mit MS (HwMS) [11, 12]. Neben den steigenden Zahlen ist auch gut belegt, dass sowohl afroamerikanische MS-Patienten (AAwMS) als auch HwMS-Patienten einen aggressiveren Krankheitsverlauf haben und eher an schweren Behinderungen leiden [9, 10, 13].…”