The Relationship Between Health Literacy and General Health in Patients with Type II Diabetes Referring to Diabetes Clinic of Zabol in 2016

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. This disease can damage various body systems and affect the quantity and quality of life. General health has a huge impact on the quality of life of diabetic patients. Health literacy as a factor in general health can promote quality of life in diabetic patients. This study aimed to examine the association between health literacy and general health in patients with type II diabetes.
This cross-sectional study was performed on 150 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic data form, as well as health literacy and general health questionnaires. The obtained data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 21. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results showed that the mean score of health literacy was 66.41±17.22 and the subjects were on the borderline in this regard. Mean score of general health was 58.13±11.72, indicating a good health. There was a significant positive correlation between health literacy and general health (P=0/001, r= 0/22).
This study demonstrated that health literacy is linked with general health. Diabetes can cause many psychological and clinical problems and can restrict people's physical and mental activities. Lower health literacy is associated with reduced health such as physical and psychological problems. In general, health literacy and general health are two issues that diabetic patients still require more education about.