The Effect of Literacy Level on Health Related-Quality of Life, Self-Efficacy and Self-Management Behaviors in Diabetic Patients

Illiteracy in studies on quality of life (QOL) and self-efficacy (SE) of diabetic patients has been ignored. Illiteracy and diabetes have high rates in developing countries. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of literacy level on health outcomes. To achieve this, we studied health outcomes such as SE, self-management behaviors and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in diabetic patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out in an Iranian urban federally-funded diabetes clinic (with 1400 diabetes patients) in Bandar Abbas, a city located in south of Iran. 256 Non Insulin Dependent Diabetic Mellitus patients were chosen during June, July and August 2007. Patients were grouped as illiterates, low-literates and literates. SE and QOL were measured by standard questionnaires. HbA1C was measured by calorimetric method. Data was collected with interview. Data analysis was carried out with one way ANOVA Post Hoc, and bivariate analysis method. Literacy level among the three groups from the view points of age, physical domain, psychological domain, environmental domain and SE were significant. There was no significant difference for the level of HbA1C among three groups. Literacy level does not have any effects on glycemic control. There is a strong relationship between self-efficacy and QOL domains.