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Evaluation of a Fotonovela to Increase Depression Knowledge and Reduce Stigma Among Hispanic Adults

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Abstract

Fotonovelas—small booklets that portray a dramatic story using photographs and captions—represent a powerful health education tool for low-literacy and ethnic minority audiences. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a depression fotonovela in increasing depression knowledge, decreasing stigma, increasing self-efficacy to recognize depression, and increasing intentions to seek treatment, relative to a text pamphlet. Hispanic adults attending a community adult school (N = 157, 47.5 % female, mean age = 35.8 years, 84 % immigrants, 63 % with less than high school education) were randomly assigned to read the fotonovela or a low-literacy text pamphlet about depression. They completed surveys before reading the material, immediately after reading the material, and 1 month later. The fotonovela and text pamphlet both produced significant improvements in depression knowledge and self-efficacy to identify depression, but the fotonovela produced significantly larger reductions in antidepressant stigma and mental health care stigma. The fotonovela also was more likely to be passed on to family or friends after the study, potentially increasing its reach throughout the community. Results indicate that fotonovelas can be useful for improving health literacy among underserved populations, which could reduce health disparities.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2001N Soto Street, MC 9239, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9239, USA

    Jennifer B. Unger

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive Rm 1715 Unit 11, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Leopoldo J. Cabassa

  3. USC School of Pharmacy, 1540 E. Alcazar St. CHP 217E, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Gregory B. Molina, Sandra Contreras & Melvin Baron

Authors
  1. Jennifer B. Unger
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  2. Leopoldo J. Cabassa
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  3. Gregory B. Molina
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  4. Sandra Contreras
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  5. Melvin Baron
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Correspondence to Jennifer B. Unger.

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Unger, J.B., Cabassa, L.J., Molina, G.B. et al. Evaluation of a Fotonovela to Increase Depression Knowledge and Reduce Stigma Among Hispanic Adults. J Immigrant Minority Health 15, 398–406 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9623-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9623-5

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