Evaluation of diabetes and health literacy level of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients registered to the family health center

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the health literacy levels and diabetes literacy levels of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients who apply to the family health center. Materials and Methods: This descriptive research was conducted with three hundred patients with type 2 diabetes between April and December in 2019. Personal Information Form, Health Literacy Questionnaire - European Union (HLS-EU) questionnaire, Diabetic Information Test, and Diabetic Quantitative Test were used for scale. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 58.2±10.2, 51.2% were male, 85.0% were married, 38.3% were the primary school graduates, 40.7% were housewives and 51.3% income level was low. The mean index score of patients with type 2 diabetes was 25.6 that was corresponds to the "problematic" level. In the categorical evaluation, it was determined that 41.3% were inadequate, 47.7% of them were problematic, 9% of them were adequate, and 2% of them had excellent level of health literacy. The health literacy level of the participants was compared with socio-demographic variables. Participants who were married, had a higher education degree and high income had higher health literacy level. It was determined that the level of health literacy decreased with increasing age (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between gender and health literacy level (p>0.05). Results: Health literacy level of type 2 diabetes patients is low and 47.7% of them were found to be "problematic". Checking chronic diseases, preventing potential adverse health outcomes, and bringing self-care abilities are related to the patient's level of health literacy. At this point, family physicians, who are the first point of contact for all kinds of care and provide continuous health care, have a tremendous responsibility.