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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Disease-specific health literacy, disease knowledge, and adherence behavior among patients with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan

Authors: Jue-Zong Yeh, Chung-jen Wei, Shuen-fu Weng, Cheng-yu Tsai, Jia-hui Shih, Chung-liang Shih, Chiung-hsuan Chiu

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

To examine the association between health literacy, level of disease knowledge, and adherence behavior among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study of 1059 Mandarin- and Taiwanese-speaking patients aged 20 years or older with type 2 diabetes was conducted. The demographic profiles of the sample strata were determined by analyzing the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Database. Participants were enrolled and completed questionnaires between April and November of 2015. The patients were assessed using a self-developed questionnaire with high internal consistency (KR-20 = .84).

Results

Construct validity was supported by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Respondents scored lowest in diet-related knowledge. Health literacy and diabetes knowledge were significantly greater when patients cared for themselves with additional caretaker assistance. Patient age, gender, and educational attainment were associated with adherence behavior.

Conclusion

This study conducted a nation-wide survey of patients with diabetes and the results showed that respondents possessed fairly strong diabetes-specific health literacy and knowledge. However, health literacy shouldn’t be assessed as an isolated concept. Instead, it should be assessed in conjunction with adherence behavior.

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Title: Disease-specific health literacy, disease knowledge, and adherence behavior among patients with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan
Authors: Jue-Zong Yeh
Chung-jen Wei
Shuen-fu Weng
Cheng-yu Tsai
Jia-hui Shih
Chung-liang Shih
Chiung-hsuan Chiu
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5972-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Disease-specific health literacy, disease knowledge, and adherence behavior among patients with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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