Increasing Health Literacy of Parents of Children Age 0 to 5 Regarding Oral Health and Immunizations

Abstract

Health literacy is critical for people to make appropriate decisions regarding their health and their families. Low health literacy in parents creates a lack of understanding and knowledge about immunization and oral health in children, thereby impacting our population's overall long-term health. Quick Response (QR) Code and technology-based platforms are effective in promoting health literacy. This DNP project utilizes a QR code to promote health literacy and improve vaccine uptake and oral care. This project targets parents with children ages zero to five years. The QI project worked with the Reach Out and Read organization and four East Carolina University Doctor of Nursing Practice students. The DNP project was implemented in four pilot clinics in North Carolina. Website traffic analytics and parental surveys were utilized to determine the project's impact on parental health literacy.