The Association of Health Literacy for Behavior of Preventions Complications of Diabetic Patients in Chombueng Crown Prince Hospital, Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

     This descriptive research aimed to 1) the level of health literacy of diabetic patients, 2) the level of complication preventive behaviors of diabetic patients and, 3) the association between health literacy and complication preventive behaviors of diabetic patients in Chombueng Crown Prince Hospital, Ratchaburi Province.The samples consisted of 138 patients. Research instrument was questionnaires The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s  product-moment  correlation.  The results showed that 

         1. The overall mean scores on health literacy was at the moderate level (M = 3.01, SD=.49).The highest mean scores was decision skill, and the lowest mean scores was communication skill (M= 3.25, SD= 0.53; M= 2.76, SD= 0.57, respectively).           

         2. The overall mean scores on complication preventive behaviors was at the moderate level (M= 3.41, SD =0.28). The highest mean scores was medication taking and seeing the doctor, and the lowest mean scores was exercise (M= 4.78, SD= 0.36; M= 2.29, SD= 0.69, respectively).

          3. The health literacy for self management was moderate significantly positively correlated with complication preventive behaviors (r =.622, p<.01).   

      Therefore, nursing care for complication preventive behaviors of diabetic patients  should promote health literacy for the people. Especially in self-management for trends of positive health behavior modification.