I'm having difficulties finding studies that used a quantative approach to analyze limited English proficiency or language barrier as a factor of medication adherence. I need enough studies to do a meta-analysis to study if there is consistency in the published literature about an association between language barrier and medication adherence.
Dear Renee,
The following publication may be helpful:
The association between language proficiency and outcomes of elderly patients with asthma
Juan P. Wisnivesky, MD, DrPHcorrespondenceemail, Katherine Krauskopf, MD, Michael S. Wolf, PhD, MPH, Elizabeth A.H. Wilson, PhD, Anastasia Sofianou, MS, Melissa Martynenko, MPA, MPH, Ethan A. Halm, MD, MPH, Howard Leventhal, PhD, Alex D. Federman, MD, MPH
Article has an altmetric score of 1
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2012.06.016
Annals September 2012Volume 109, Issue 3, Pages 179–184
Abstract
Background
Asthma is a growing cause of morbidity for elderly Americans and is highly prevalent among Hispanic people in the United States. The inability to speak English poses a barrier to patient–provider communication.
Objective
To evaluate associations between limited English proficiency, asthma self-management, and outcomes in elderly Hispanic patients.
Method
Elderly patients with asthma receiving primary care at clinics in New York City and Chicago were studied.
Results
Of 268 patients in the study, 68% were non-Hispanic, 18% English-proficient Hispanic, and 14% Hispanic with limited English proficiency. Unadjusted analyses showed that Hispanic persons with limited English proficiency had worse asthma control (P = .0007), increased likelihood of inpatient visits (P = .002), and poorer quality of life (P < .0001). We also found significant associations between limited English proficiency and poorer medication adherence (P = .006). Similar results were obtained in multiple regression analyses adjusting for demographics, asthma history, comorbidities, depression, and health literacy.
Conclusion
Limited English proficiency was associated with poorer self-management and worse outcomes among elderly patients with asthma. Further understanding of mechanisms underlying this relationship is necessary to develop interventions that improve asthma outcomes in this vulnerable population.
http://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(12)00466-8/pdf
Rafik
Here are some strong references you could consider to consult.
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ohpp/clasact/documents/CLASact/research3/13_David.pdf
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/S1526-9523(02)00218-0/full
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10823-006-9021-3
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