Spanish-language medical information given to Latino/a patients about depression treatment often contains confusing terminology that could decrease comprehension and adherence to treatment recommendations, according to a University of Michigan study. The research, published in the journal Health Education Research , assessed the comprehension and perceived usefulness of selected sections from patient education handouts on depression and antidepressants, as well as medication information sheets for the antidepressant sertraline, among 30 Latino/a adults who prefer to speak and read in Spanish. While most participants said the overall information seemed useful and applicable to them, over half reported that at least one section included words or phrases they found confusing or unfamiliar.
Specific terms that caused confusion included " chemical substances ," "electric shocks" and "formulation." More concerning, some participants stated they misunderstood certain sentences as affirming negative stereotypes about mental illness and antidepressant use—the opposite of the intended meaning. "Ten percent of participants misunderstood some sentences to be reinforcing stigma instead of diminishing it for a population that may already feel stigmatized because of their ethnicity or preferred language," said study lead author Beatriz Manzor-Mitrzyk, assistant professor at the U-M College of Pharmacy.
One section stated: "Depression is a medical illness caused by changes in the natural c.