Association between Health literacy and Self-care Behaviors among Diabetic Patients in Kutchomphu Subdistrict, Phibun Mangsahan District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to study health literacy, self-care behaviors, and examine the association between health literacy and self-care behaviors among Type 2 diabetic patients in Kutchomphu Subdistrict, Phibun Mangsahan District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The samples were 154 diabetic patients which randomly selected from Kutchomphu Sub-district. The data were collected by using questionnaires which a researcher had developed to collect health literacy and self-care behaviors. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of health literacy was 0.855 and self-care behaviors was 0.744 respectively. The data were analyzed by statistics, namely frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The relationships between health literacy and self-care behaviors diabetic patient were examined by using Pearson Correlation Coefficient.

The results found that most of samples were female (64.74%), aged 61 years and over (51.28%), married status (72.43%), completed secondary school (59.61%). Most of them were general employees (34.61%), and most of patient’s illness 5 years or more (61.53%). The overall health literacy was found in a high level (x=4.17, S.D.=0.345). The overall Self-care behaviors was found in regularly practice (x=4.54, S.D.=0.311). In addition, health literacy was positively associated with self-care behaviors diabetic patient (r=.398, p<.05)

The results of the research can be used as a guideline for improving the health literacy of diabetic patients. Promote self-care behavior of diabetic patients and used as a guideline for improving the diabetic patient service system in Kut Chom Phu Subdistrict, Phibun Mangsahan District Ubon Ratchathani Province