Increasing Health Literacy Among Residents at a Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.

Introduction: Health literacy is a nationwide public health concern. Low health literacy in adolescents is related to increased adolescent high-risk behaviors, which can negatively affect their overall health.

Method: A quality improvement health literacy project was developed, implemented, and evaluated in a juvenile temporary detention center. Stakeholders identified pertinent health-related topics for discussion, including female body anatomy, sexual health, consent, pornography, sex trafficking, smoking, and anger management. Toolkits and pretest/posttest questionnaires guided weekly group sessions. Youth engaged in content during each session.

Results: Group health literacy scores were examined to evaluate the program. Group comments were debriefed by facilitators after each session; 119 youth residents participated. Positive increases in health literacy and health knowledge were observed in all sessions for all groups.

Discussion: Interactive health education programs for incarcerated youth can improve their health literacy and health knowledge and begin a path to decrease health inequities in this vulnerable population.