Investigation of the Relationship Between Health Literacy and Self-Care Agency in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Descriptive and Correlational Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy and self-care agency in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 128 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who were receiving treatment in the internal medicine clinics of a city hospital. Data were collected by the researcher between July 2021 and February 2022 using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Diabetes Health Literacy Scale, and the Diabetes Self-Care Agency Scale. Results: The mean total score on the Diabetes Health Literacy Scale was 34.07 ± 11.75. The subscale scores were as follows: Functional Health Literacy – 12.39 ± 4.95, Interactive Health Literacy – 7.20 ± 3.05, and Critical Health Literacy – 14.46 ± 5.82. The mean total score on the Diabetes Self-Care Agency Scale was 82.19 ± 12.97. A statistically significant, positive, moderate correlation was found between the total self-care agency score and the total score, interactive, and critical subscale scores of the health literacy scale (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The participants demonstrated moderate levels of both health literacy and self-care agency. Health literacy is a key factor in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, as it influences individuals’ ability to access information, make informed decisions, adhere to treatment, and maintain quality of life. Enhancing health literacy is essential for improving self-care capacity and the sense of personal responsibility in disease management.

Keywords

• Chronic disease management
• health literacy
• nursing
• self-care agency
• type 2 diabetes

Tip 2 Diyabet Hastalarında Sağlık Okuryazarlığı ile Öz Bakım Gücü Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi: Tanımlayıcı ve Korelasyonel Bir Çalışma

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma, tip 2 diyabet tanısı almış bireylerde sağlık okuryazarlığı ile öz bakım gücü arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Materyal ve Metot: Tanımlayıcı ve ilişki arayıcı nitelikteki bu araştırma, bir şehir hastanesinin dahiliye kliniklerinde tedavi gören 128 tip 2 diyabet hastası ile yürütülmüştür. Veriler, Temmuz 2021 – Şubat 2022 tarihleri arasında araştırmacı tarafından “Tanıtıcı Özellikler Formu”, “Diyabet Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği” ve “Diyabet Öz Bakım Gücü Ölçeği” kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Bulgular: Diyabet Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği toplam puan ortalaması 34,07 ± 11,75 olarak bulunmuştur. Alt boyut ortalama puanları sırasıyla; Fonksiyonel Sağlık Okuryazarlığı 12,39 ± 4,95, Etkileşimsel Sağlık Okuryazarlığı 7,20 ± 3,05 ve Eleştirel Sağlık Okuryazarlığı 14,46 ± 5,82’dir. Diyabet Öz Bakım Gücü Ölçeği toplam puan ortalaması ise 82,19 ± 12,97’dir. Sağlık okuryazarlığı ile öz bakım gücü arasındaki ilişki incelendiğinde; Öz Bakım Gücü Ölçeği toplam puanı ile Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği' nin toplam, etkileşimsel ve eleştirel alt boyut puanları arasında orta düzeyde, pozitif ve anlamlı bir ilişki saptanmıştır (p <0,001). Sonuç: Araştırmaya katılan bireylerin sağlık okuryazarlığı ve öz bakım gücü düzeylerinin orta seviyede olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sağlık okuryazarlığı, diyabet gibi kronik hastalıkların yönetiminde önemli bir faktördür ve bireylerin hastalığıyla ilgili bilgiye ulaşma, karar verme, tedaviye uyum sağlama ve yaşam kalitesini sürdürme becerilerini doğrudan etkilemektedir. Bu nedenle, bireylerin öz bakım becerilerinin ve sorumluluklarının artırılması için sağlık okuryazarlığının geliştirilmesi önem taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Hemşirelik
• kronik hastalık yönetimi
• öz bakım gücü
• sağlık okuryazarlığı
• tip 2 diyabet

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