Health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Purpose The study purpose was to explore the relationships among health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors of patients with type 2 diabetes. Data sources A cross-sectional study with a descriptive correlational design was conducted. Patients (N= 150) with type 2 diabetes were recruited from diabetes clinics in the Marshall Islands. Levels of health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors were assessed by a questionnaire. Conclusions Health literacy, receiving diabetes education, and employment status together explained 11.8% of the variance in self-efficacy (F(3,147)= 7.58, p < .001). Patients who had higher health literacy, received more diabetes-related education, were currently employed and had better self-efficacy. Self-efficacy and marital status together explained 16.7% of the variance in self-care behaviors (F(2,148)= 15.96, p < .001). Patients who had higher self-efficacy and who were married had better self-care behaviors. Implications for practice Strategies are needed to incorporate the concept of self-efficacy in the design of diabetes education to promote patients' self-care behaviors, with an emphasis on dealing with hyper- or hypoglycemia, following the diet plan, and checking blood sugar levels as recommended. Diabetes education material that requires a lower literacy level may be needed for older or unemployed adult populations.