The Relationship Between Diabetes Awareness and Acceptance Levels and Health Literacy in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Descriptive- Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: This study examines the relationship between diabetes awareness and acceptance levels and health literacy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study among outpatients presenting to hospitals and clinics in northeastern Türkiye between July 15, 2025, and November 15, 2025. Participants were 18 years of age or older and had type 2 diabetes; those with type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or who could not complete the questionnaire were excluded from the study. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using the Patient Information Form, Diabetes Awareness and Acceptance Scale (DAAS), and E-Health Literacy Scale (EHLS). Descriptive statistics, t-tests for independent samples, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses were used Results: Participants’ mean age was 56.2±14.9 years; 62.7% were female. The mean DAAS and EHLS scores were 81.6±18.7 and 22.1±8.3, respectively. Men and single individuals had higher EHLS scores; higher education was associated with higher EHLS scores. DAAS scores increased with disease duration, whereas EHLS scores decreased with age and longer disease duration. Positive correlations were observed between all DAAS subscales and EHLS. Many participants expressed uncertainty or negative attitudes toward obtaining health information online. A positive and significant correlation was found between the DAAS awareness subscale, DAAS acceptance subscale, and DAAS total score and the EHLS total score (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study found a positive and significant correlation between diabetes awareness, acceptance, and e-health literacy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It has been found that age, education, marital status, disease duration, general health perception, family history and nutritional habits may have an impact on these variables.

Keywords

• Diabetes mellitus
• Diabetes awareness
• Acceptance levels
• Health literacy

Tip 2 Diyabet Mellituslu Bireylerde Diyabet Farkındalığı ve Kabul Düzeyleri ile Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Arasındaki İlişki: Tanımlayıcı-Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Tip 2 diyabetli hastalarda diyabet farkındalığı ve kabul düzeyleri ile sağlık okuryazarlığı arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektedir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışma, 15 Temmuz 2025 ile 15 Kasım 2025 tarihleri arasında Türkiye'nin kuzeydoğusundaki hastane ve kliniklere başvuran ayakta tedavi gören hastalar arasında kesitsel bir çalışma olarak yürütülmüştür. Katılımcılar 18 yaş ve üzeri olup tip 2 diyabet hastasıydı; gebelik diyabeti olanlar veya anketi tamamlayamayanlar çalışmadan dışlanmıştır. Veriler, Hasta Bilgi Formu, Diyabet Farkındalığı ve Kabul Ölçeği (DAAS) ve E-Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği (EHLS) kullanılarak yüz yüze görüşmeler yoluyla toplanmıştır. Tanımlayıcı istatistikler, bağımsız örneklem t-testleri, ANOVA ve Pearson korelasyon analizleri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Katılımcıların ortalama yaşı 56,2±14,9 yıl; %62,7'si kadındı. Ortalama DAAS ve EHLS puanları sırasıyla 81,6±18,7 ve 22,1±8,3 idi. Erkekler ve bekar bireylerin EHLS puanları daha yüksekti; daha yüksek eğitim düzeyi daha yüksek EHLS puanlarıyla ilişkiliydi. DAAS puanları hastalık süresiyle artarken, EHLS puanları yaş ve daha uzun hastalık süresiyle azaldı. Tüm DAAS alt ölçekleri ile EHLS arasında pozitif korelasyonlar gözlendi. Birçok katılımcı, çevrimiçi sağlık bilgisi edinmeye yönelik belirsizlik veya olumsuz tutumlar ifade etti. DAAS farkındalık alt ölçeği, DAAS kabul alt ölçeği ve DAAS toplam puanı ile EHLS toplam puanı arasında pozitif ve anlamlı bir korelasyon bulunmuştur (p<0.001). Sonuç: Çalışma, Tip 2 diabetes mellituslu bireylerde diyabet farkındalığı, kabulü ve e-sağlık okuryazarlığı arasında pozitif ve anlamlı bir korelasyon bulmuştur. Yaş, eğitim, medeni durum, hastalık süresi, genel sağlık algısı, aile öyküsü ve beslenme alışkanlıklarının bu değişkenler üzerinde etkili olabileceği bulunmuştur.

Keywords

• Diyabet mellitus
• Diyabet farkındalığı
• Kabul düzeyleri
• Sağlık okuryazarlığı

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