Associate Professor Niki Murray BA, MA, PhD

This pilot study investigated the impact that illustrations have on delivering immunisation information to immunisation decisions-makers who are of differing health literacy levels.  It had six objectives: (a) to develop illustrative tools that form the intervention of the study; (b) to describe factors that influence immunisation decision making processes of decision-makers with differing levels of functional health literacy; (c) to determine if recall of immunisation information was improved by the illustrations; (d) to determine if the illustrations improved comprehension of immunisation information; (e) to report on the outcomes in relation to immunisation uptake at six weeks and three months; (f) to evaluate the illustrations and suggest recommendations for modifications. This pilot intervention study included qualitative interviews, quantitative assessment, and focus groups. Enhanced immunisation information recall, comprehension and improved immunisation rates were predicted benefits of this study, alongside illustrative models available for use nationally.

Researchers from the Adult Literacy and Communication Research (ALCR) Group at the School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, Massey University, in partnership with the Wanganui District Library, undertook a major longitudinal research project funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, focusing on adult literacy and employment in Whanganui and Districts. Through a series of interlinked research projects we aimed to achieve the following four objectives: 1. To establish adult literacy needs of both employed and unemployed in Whanganui and Districts region. 2. To identify the social, attitudinal and economic barriers to adult literacy, numeracy and analytical thinking skills of employed and unemployed in Whanganui and Districts. 3. To evaluate how effectively adult literacy programmes secure employment outcomes. 4. To examine adult literacy learning processes and their relationship to employment. The Whanganui project group added their own further objectives, specific to gaining tangible benefits for Whanganui. These included: 1. Achieving positive, tangible and practical outcomes for the Whanganui community, with a well-researched plan of action for medium-long term 2005-2015 to address identified issues relating to literacy 2. Establishing a database of meaningful, relevant information relating to the links between literacy and employment in Whanganui and identify links to other social issues e.g. crime, health, and housing; and providing benchmarks to measure future progress 3. Developing collaboration between agencies within the Whanganui region, to strengthen the community and social infrastructure for future work and projects 4. Building the research capacity within Whanganui.