Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy and treatment compliance among individuals who were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus attending a family health center. Methods: This analytical study was conducted in a family health center with individuals over the age of 18 and diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (n=108). The Sociodemographic Characteristics Questionnaire, Rapid Estimation of Adult Literacy in Medicine, and Treatment Compliance Questionnaire were used to collect the data. Results: Of the individuals, 44.4% were between 60 and 74 years of age, 50.9% were male, 30.5% were primary school graduates, and 30.6% were university graduates. The average score for the compliance with the diabetes therapy was 7.8±2.2. University graduates had higher compliance scores than did illiterate individuals (p=0.015). The participants who had received diabetes training had higher treatment compliance scores than those who had not (p<0.001). Of the participants, 63.3% had health literacy levels at the high school level. The average health literacy score was 48.4±26.1. Health literacy scores of the male participants were higher than those of the female participants (p=0.001). The health literacy scores of the participants over the age of 74 were higher than those in the other age groups (p<0.001). The health literacy scores of the participants who were illiterate or primary school graduates were lower (p<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the health literacy level and the average treatment compliance score (p=0.017).  Discussions and conclusions: The results showed that the participants' compliance levels were moderate and that their health literacy levels were at the high school level. In order to increase individuals’ self-efficiency and responsibility regarding their own health, it is important to improve their health literacy. It is recommended that diabetes educational materials be prepared and administered according to the health literacy levels of the individuals.

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