Title | Is diabetes-specific health literacy associated with diabetes-related outcomes in older adults? |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2011 |
Authors | Yamashita, T, Kart, CS |
Journal | J Diabetes |
Volume | 3 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 138-46 |
Date Published | 2011 Jun |
ISSN Number | 1753-0407 |
Keywords | Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Blood Glucose, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Glycated Hemoglobin, Health Literacy, Humans, Logistic Models, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Self Care, Socioeconomic factors, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: The present study examined the association between a measure of diabetes-specific health literacy and three different Type 2 diabetes outcome indicators in a national sample of older adults. METHODS: Data were taken from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2003 Diabetes module and the HRS 2002 core wave. Analysis was performed on data from 1318 respondents aged 42-96 years [mean (±SD) 67.96 ± 8.65 years] who submitted responses on all relevant independent variable measures along with an HbA1c test kit. The index of diabetes-specific health literacy was constructed from responses to 10 diabetes self-care regimen items (α = 0.927). RESULTS: Using a multivariate regression strategy to analyze weighted data, the diabetes-specific health literacy index was significantly and positively associated with self-graded assessment of diabetes self-care (R2 = 0.231). However, diabetes-specific health literacy was not independently associated with the HbA1c level or the average number of days five recommended self-management behaviors were practiced each week. CONCLUSIONS: No previous single study has focused on the relationship between diabetes-specific health literacy and multiple diabetes-related outcomes. The direct association of diabetes-specific health literacy with patients' assessment of their self-care practice acumen is useful information for the design of effective patient intervention and/or communication strategies. Health literacy is a broad, multidimensional construct that bridges basic literacy skills and various health and illness contexts. Because it is so important to adults engaged in the self-management of chronic illness, indicators of disease-specific knowledge and/or understanding should be included in efforts to measure health literacy. |
Notes | Yamashita, Takashi Kart, Cary S Australia Journal of diabetes J Diabetes. 2011 Jun;3(2):138-46. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-0407.2011.00112.x. |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1753-0407.2011.00112.x |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | Aged, 80 and over/Blood Glucose/ metabolism/Blood Glucose/ metabolism/Diabetes Mellitus/Type 2 Diabetes/Health Literacy/Health Literacy/HbA1c/Logistic Models/Middle Aged/Multivariate Analysis/Self Care/methods/Self Care/methods/Socioeconomic Factors |
Endnote ID | 62748 |
Alternate Journal | J Diabetes |
Citation Key | 7645 |
PubMed ID | 21599867 |