Relationship Between Health Literacy and Self-Efficacy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Yazd, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common, chronic and debilitating disease that causes many psychological, social, and physical problems in patients. Health literacy and self-efficacy are important factors influencing self-care behaviors in diabetic patients. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between health literacy and self-efficacy in patients with T2D in Yazd, Iran. Methods: This is a descriptive correlational study. Participants were 100 patients with T2D referred to the diabetes clinic in Yazd province in 2020 who were selected by a sequential sampling method. Data were collected using the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale of Scherer et al. (1982). The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, and independent t-test. Data analysis was done in SPSS v.21 software. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between health literacy (and its components) and self-efficacy in patients with T2D. Women had higher level of self-efficacy than men and had higher scores in health literacy components of access, comprehension, and decision making, while men had higher scores in the components of reading skills and assessment. Conclusion: Health literacy is correlated to self-efficacy in diabetes management. They play an important role in improving the quality of life and self-care behaviors of T2D patients.

Keywords

• health literacy
• self-efficacy
• diabetes mellitus
• type 2 diabetes