Health literacy, knowledge and self-care behaviors to take care of diabetic foot in low-income individuals: Application of extended parallel process model.

AIM: This study has been conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between health literacy, knowledge and self-care behaviors to take care of the diabetic foot in low-income individuals, based on the extended parallel process model (EPPM).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 patients with type II diabetes referred to the Diabetes Clinic, using a random sampling method and using standard questionnaires. In this study, the constructs of knowledge, EPPM (perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, response efficacy, self-efficacy), and health literacy were significantly related to self-care behaviors (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Based on the linear regression results, the constructs of knowledge, health literacy, and constructs of EPPM were able to account for 43% of the variance to perform diabetic foot self-care behaviors. The maximum impact was related to the constructs of health literacy and self-efficacy (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Based on these results, levels of knowledge and health literacy of patients were very poor overall, and the self-care behaviors were not appropriate. On the other hand, considering the great impact of health literacy in performing self-care behaviors, it is suggested that educational courses be held in this regard and proper strategies are employed to enhance the health literacy of diabetic patients.