Health Literacy and Behaviors of Patients and Caregivers Related to Glycemic Control Among Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

BACKGROUND

The impact of caregivers' health literacy (HL) and patient care behaviors on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is not well known.

PURPOSE: This study examined the HL and behaviors of both patients and caregivers in relation to glycemic control among T2DM patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in Fang district, Chiang Mai Province, involved 305 T2DM patients aged over 45 and their caregivers, selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected via questionnaires, and blood samples were analyzed for fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

RESULTS

The findings revealed that most patients and caregivers had diabetes HL scores at the functional literacy level (53.77% and 37.05%, respectively). The majority of patients scored moderately in self-care behaviors (SCB) at 76.10%, while caregivers' patient care behaviors also scored moderately at 68.20%. Mean FBS and HbA1c levels were 129.81 mg/dl and 7.3%, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for sex, age, education level, financial status, duration of diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption, FBS was significantly associated with patients' HL (Beta = -0.161), SCB (Beta = -0.197), caregivers' HL (Beta = -0.217), and caregivers' patient care behaviors (Beta = -0.181). Similarly, HbA1c was significantly correlated with patients' HL (Beta = -0.265), SCB (Beta = -0.233), caregivers' HL (Beta = -0.255), and caregivers' patient care behaviors (Beta = -0.200).

CONCLUSION

These results highlight the importance of enhancing health literacy (HL) and behaviors in both patients and caregivers to achieve optimal glycemic control, underscoring the need for caregivers to develop strong HL skills and improve their competencies in effectively managing T2DM.