Exploring the Factors Related to Health Literacy among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Thailand

Abstract

Patients having Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) face a substantial long-term challenge, impacting services, systems, communities, and individuals. Health literacy (HL) is acknowledged as a crucial skill in understanding individuals with T2DM. This study attempts to explore the association between age, gender, marital status, education level, individual income, family income, comorbidity and HL among individuals with T2DM receiving care at a tertiary hospital in Thailand. This research, employing a cross-sectional design, took place from March to August 2022, through a self-administered questionnaire which included participant characteristics and the 14-item Health Literacy Scale. We employed multiple linear regression analysis to investigate the pivotal factors that significantly forecast health literacy scores. Among the 159 adults diagnosed with T2DM, the mean health literacy (HL) score was 52.2 (SD 7.24), with 61.6% of participants demonstrating higher HL scores. Education level (B = 3.062, p = 0.012) and individual income (B = 4.318, p = 0.005) were found to be as significant predictors of HL. Comprehending health literacy (HL) can provide insights into the disparities observed among people having T2DM. In light of this understanding of its role, HL initiatives present an avenue to enhance diabetes nursing care. To enhance the quality of care and reduce morbidity and mortality rates among individuals with diabetes mellitus, nurses, healthcare providers, policymakers, and decision-makers must acknowledge and address the diverse health literacy needs.