Identifying the effective dimensions and components on health literacy education for patients with diabetes in the hospitals of Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences

Health literacy as a global issue in the 21st century is of increasing importance. One of the influencing variables on the level of knowledge and awareness of patients about their disease is health literacy. The main purpose of this article was to identify the dimensions and components that are effective on the health literacy education of patients with diabetes in the hospitals of Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences.  

In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted with 18 experts in health education, medical education, nursing, and faculty members with at least a doctorate in educational management and higher education management. The method of data collection was semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. Data validity was confirmed using Lincoln and Goba criteria.

Effective factors on health literacy education were identified in six dimensions including "basic literacy, specialized literacy, social literacy, cultural literacy, media literacy and diabetes management" with 17 components and 87 indicators.

Identifying dimensions, components and indicators that are effective on health literacy education can be a foundation for designing a model for health literacy education for patients with diabetes.