The Relationship between Health Literacy and Health Behaviour in People with Diabetes: A Danish Population-Based Study.

Karina Friis,Benedicte Donslund Vind,Helle Terkildsen Maindal,Rebecca K Simmons

doi:10.1155/2016/7823130

Karina Friis, Benedicte Donslund Vind + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7823130

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Abstract

Background. People with diabetes who have poor health behaviours are at greater risk for a range of adverse health outcomes. We aimed to investigate the relationship between health literacy and health behaviour (smoking, alcohol, physical activity, and diet) in people with diabetes. Methods. The study was based on respondents aged 25 years or older from a population-based survey in 2013 who reported having diabetes (n = 1685). Two dimensions from the Health Literacy Questionnaire were used: “understand health information” and “actively engage with healthcare providers.” We used logistic regression to examine the association between health literacy and health behaviour. Results. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, individuals with diabetes who found it difficult to understand information about health had higher odds of being physically inactive (OR: 3.43, 95% CI: 2.14–5.51) and having unhealthy dietary habits (OR: 3.01, 95% CI: 1.63–5.58). Similar results were observed for individuals who found it difficult to actively engage with healthcare providers. No associations were found between the two dimensions of health literacy and smoking and alcohol consumption. Conclusion. When developing health services and interventions to improve health behaviour among people with diabetes, our results suggest that they may benefit by including focus on health literacy.

Highlights

People with diabetes who have poor health behaviours are at greater risk for a range of adverse health outcomes
We aimed to investigate the relationship between health literacy and health behaviour in people with diabetes
When developing health services and interventions to improve health behaviour among people with diabetes, our results suggest that they may benefit by including focus on health literacy

Summary

Introduction

People with diabetes who have poor health behaviours are at greater risk for a range of adverse health outcomes. People with diabetes are at risk for a range of adverse health outcomes, including heart attacks, strokes, amputations, blindness, and end-stage renal disease [1] Many of these adverse health outcomes can be prevented or delayed if people with diabetes maintain a healthy lifestyle in relation to diet, physical activity, alcohol, and smoking [2, 3]. It is important for health services and healthcare providers to develop strategies and interventions to help people with diabetes to improve and maintain their health behaviour. A recent Danish population-based study has shown that, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, people with diabetes find it more difficult to understand health information than the general population [5]

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