(1279) Language Barriers and Understanding Risk Perception of Vaping at a Volunteers in Medicine Clinic

Objectives: One third of adults living in the US revealed they did not know how harmful vaping (e-cigarettes) is in comparison to traditional cigarettes. This lack of knowledge can be due to language barriers and misunderstandings when patients cannot effectively communicate or understand scientific information. Many individuals rate vaping as less risky when scientific evidence appears unclear to include limited English proficient patients (LEPPs). Language barriers can add to this misunderstanding as they pose a challenge to maintaining patient safety. Patients who may have language barriers often experience more adverse events as well. LEPPs have difficulties in medical comprehension and trouble understanding the labels on medications and adverse events due to problems understanding instructions. The purpose of this study is to determine if LEPPS differ in understanding the dangers of vaping (e-cigarettes) versus using traditional cigarettes as compared to patients who speak English as their primary language.

Methods: Patients who receive care from a Volunteers in Medicine clinic were given a 15-item survey to measure their understanding of the health dangers of using e-cigarettes as compared to traditional cigarettes. The survey was written in both English and Spanish and participants were asked their primary and secondary language. The survey consisted of additional demographic questions along with true and false questions concerning the dangers of vaping as compared to traditional cigarettes. The true and false questions will be scored and compared between those with primary and secondary language preferences. An independent sample t-test will be performed to compare the scores on those questions.

Results: N/A

Conclusions: Patient education for LEPPs concerning the risks and adverse events from vaping using e-cigarettes can prove to be beneficial in diverse communities where language barriers can have a negative impact on patient safety. Materials concerning the risks and adverse events from vaping translated into multiple languages can be a vital resource in decreasing the use of e-cigarettes in these populations. Further conclusions will be stated once the results of the study are analyzed.