Diabetes literacy and knowledge among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending a primary care clinic in Seremban, Malaysia
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
;
: 435-444, 2019.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-821309
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction:
Good health literacy and knowledge are associated with improved outcomes in diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine diabetes-specific literacy and knowledge levels, and its associated socio-demographic factors, among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 adults from the Indian, Chinese, and Malay ethnic groups with T2DM who attended a primary care clinic in Seremban, Malaysia. The Literacy Assessment for Diabetes and Diabetes Knowledge Test 2 were used to assess diabetes-specific literacy and knowledge, respectively.Results:
The majority of participants (75.0%) had literacy scores that corresponded to Ninth Grade Level but only 3.6% of participants had a good knowledge of diabetes. Literacy scores explained up to 19.8% of the variance in knowledge scores (r=0.445, p<0.01). Indian participants had the lowest literacy and knowledge scores when compared to Chinese and Malays (p<0.05). Participants with higher education had better literacy and knowledge scores (p<0.05). Educational level was more likely than ethnicity to predict both literacy and knowledge scores (p<0.001), while gender and age did not significantly predict either score. The majority of participants could answer general questions about physical activity, diabetes-related complications and healthy eating. Knowledge of diabetes and its relation to specific foods and the effect of diet on glucose control were limited among the participants.Conclusion:
Education and ethnicity were associated with literacy and knowledge on diabetes. There existed a deficit of diabetes-related nutrition knowledge among the participants. These findings may help healthcare providers tailor individualised patient educational interventions.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Language:
English
Journal:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
Year:
2019
Type:
Article
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