Health literacy levels of diabetic patients referred to Shiraz health centers and its effective factors

Health literacy is: “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain، process، and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Functional health literacy is critically important during the typical patient–provider encounter so this research aims to investigate the level of the health literacy of diabetic patients attending health centers in Shiraz (Iran).

In this descriptive survey، 400 diabetic patients attending health centers in Shiraz (Iran) during Mordad and Shahrivar 1391 were selected as a sample study. Health literacy was measured by Normalized Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Its reliability was obtained using test-retest correlation (0. 99). Data were analyzed using SPSS and Independent t-tests، One Way ANOVA and Pearson correlation at a significant level (pvalue>0. 05).

The findings show that the level of the health literacy of these diabetic patients is in marginal level. Health literacy was associated by sexuality، education، type of work.

Generally، this research showed that the health literacy level is not adequate. This result determines that notice to health literacy and trying to improve it is important. Providing easy and readable educational resources for patients، educational classes for them and so on are some ways to improve health literacy.