Functional Health Literacy Levels Research Articles

Functional health literacy in chronic kidney disease patients: a challenge in the preventive approach

Objective To identify the prevalence of functional health literacy and analyze the association between functional health literacy levels and clinical and sociodemographic variables in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients. Methods This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 167 chronic kidney disease patients being monitored at the nephrology outpatient clinic of a large city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. For the interviews, a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and the Brazilian version of the Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese Speaking Adults (SAHLPA-18) were used to measure functional health literacy. Descriptive statistics were performed for sociodemographic and clinical variables, and correlation tests and linear regression models for association with functional health literacy. Results Most participants were older adults with a median age of 68 years, 33.3% (56 patients) were in stage 3B of chronic kidney disease and 53.9% (90 patients) had inadequate functional health literacy. There was no association between functional health literacy levels and clinical variables. The majority reported not using the internet and the more advanced stage of chronic kidney disease had lower literacy scores. Worse functional health literacy scores were also identified in those with lower income. Conclusion Most participants had inadequate functional health literacy. Clinical variables were not predictors of literacy scores. However, lower health literacy scores were identified in those with more advanced stage kidney disease, lower income and less internet use.

Prevalence and determinants of health literacy among the adult population of Qatar.

Health literacy (HL) is both a direct determinant and a mediator of health outcomes. Research on the prevalence and determinants of HL in terms of its functional, communicative, and critical domains is scarce in the state of Qatar and its surrounding regions. Thus, this study aims to fill the knowledge gap in this area, estimate the levels of functional, communicative, and critical health literacy among the general adult population, and identify its determinants in the state of Qatar. An analytical cross-sectional study with a disproportionate stratified random sampling technique was conducted in 2022. A representative sample of phone numbers was obtained from the Cerner database at Hamad Medical Corporation and approached via well-trained data collectors. A socio-demographic and health-relevant factor questionnaire and the validated All Aspects of Health Literacy scale (AAHLS) were used to collect the data on functional, communicative, and critical HL and their determinants. Descriptive analysis, independent sample t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression were used and yielded the outcomes on HL levels as low, adequate, and high in percentages and the HL determinants. A total of 770 participants were included. The study found that 41.5%, 29.3%, and 29.2% of them have adequate, high, and low overall HL levels consecutively. People who participated in the study are older adult, are of Arabic ethnicity, are of Qatari ethnicity, have a lower level of education, have close relatives with a lower level of education, have a lower income, are non-migrants, are not living within a family, sought medical care within the last week, and who do not know if they have a chronic disease or do not have lower overall HL levels compared to the other groups. After linear regression analysis, only the participant's level of education and "last time sought medical care within last week" variable predict the overall HL score. Almost half of Qatar's adult population has an adequate HL level, comparable to the HL levels in other regions, despite the limitation in comparison due to variation in context and the HL measurement tools used. The possible determinants are amenable factors to focus on while designing HL interventions and providing healthcare.

Parental Health Literacy, Empowerment, and Advocacy for Food Allergy Safety in Schools: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Approximately 8% of elementary school-aged children in the United States have food allergies, a complicated health management situation that requires parents to use many types of health literacy, empowerment, and advocacy skills to work with school staff to protect their children. This cross-sectional study examined (a) whether the highest versus lowest levels of functional, communicative, and critical health literacy are associated with higher perceived effectiveness of parental advocacy behaviors for safe food allergy management in schools [parental advocacy]; and (b) whether communicative and critical health literacy are more strongly associated with parental advocacy than functional health literacy. A sample of parents of elementary school-aged children was recruited through 26 food allergy organizations and a research patient registry. Participants completed an anonymous online survey. Self-reported measurements of parental health literacy, empowerment, and advocacy were adapted and refined through pre-testing and pilot-testing. General linear model analyses were conducted to predict parental advocacy. Participants (N = 313) were predominantly White, college-educated mothers with moderately high levels of food allergy knowledge, health literacy, empowerment, and parental advocacy skills. Parents who scored at the highest levels in the three dimensions of health literacy reported they engaged in more effective advocacy behaviors than parents who scored at the lowest levels. Parental advocacy was predicted largely by parental empowerment and the quality of the relationship with the school (B = .41 and B = .40, respectively). Functional health literacy and the child's diagnosis of asthma were smaller predictors. While accounting for covariates, functional health literacy was significantly associated with parental advocacy whereas communicative and critical health literacy were not. Interventions to impact parental empowerment and parent-school relationships, including a health-literate universal precautions approach of communicating food allergy school policies, may influence parental advocacy for food allergy safety in schools. Further research could use a performance-based multidimensional measure of health literacy. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2023;7(3):e165-e175.].

Functional Health Literacy Among Chinese Populations and Associated Factors: Latent Class Analysis.

Poor functional health literacy has been found to be independently associated with poor self-assessed health, poor understanding of one's health condition and its management, and higher use of health services. Given the importance of functional health literacy, it is necessary to assess the overall status of functional health literacy in the general public. However, the literature review shows that no studies of functional health literacy have been conducted among the Chinese population in China. This study aimed to classify Chinese populations into different functional health literacy clusters and ascertain significant factors closely associated with low functional health literacy to provide some implications for health education, medical research, and public health policy making. We hypothesized that the participants' functional health literacy levels were associated with various demographic characteristics. Therefore, we designed a four-section questionnaire including the following information: (1) age, gender, and education; (2) self-assessed disease knowledge; (3) 3 validated health literacy assessment tools (ie, the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale, the eHealth Literacy Scale, and the 6-item General Health Numeracy Test); and (4) health beliefs and self-confidence measured by the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales Form B. Using randomized sampling, we recruited survey participants from Qilu Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, China. The questionnaire was administered via wenjuanxing. A returned questionnaire was valid only when all question items included were answered, according to our predefined validation criterion. All valid data were coded according to the predefined coding schemes of Likert scales with different point (score) ranges. Finally, we used latent class analysis to classify Chinese populations into clusters of different functional health literacy and identify significant factors closely associated with low functional health literacy. All data in the 800 returned questionnaires proved valid according to the predefined validation criterion. Applying latent class analysis, we classified Chinese populations into low (n=292, 36.5%), moderate-to-adequate (n=286, 35.7%), and low-to-moderate (n=222, 27.8%) functional health literacy groups and identified five factors associated with low communicative health literacy: (1) male gender (aged 40-49 years), (2) lower educational attainment (below diploma), (3) age between 38 and 68 years, (4) lower self-efficacy, and (5) belief that staying healthy was a matter of luck. We classified Chinese populations into 3 functional health literacy groups and identified 5 factors associated with low functional health literacy. These associated factors can provide some implications for health education, medical research, and health policy making.

Associations of functional health literacy with socioeconomic and demographic status among Filipinos

BackgroundHealth literacy determines an individual’s decision-making process in providing judgment concerning appropriate healthcare. Considering the various purposes of literacy for people, functional health literacy (FHL) was identified as a type of literacy that is measured by the application of literacy skills to health-related materials as a result of health education. The objective of this study was to identify the possible socio-demographic correlates of FHL of Filipinos.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,303 Filipinos aged 15 to 70 years old in 2018–2019 utilizing the National Health Literacy Survey. Functional health literacy was determined using the FHL-5 Test which measured prose, document, and numeracy skills. Descriptive analysis presented socio-demographic characteristics and level of FHL. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate associations of FHL adequacy with socio-demographic characteristics.ResultsOverall, the study involved 1,997 (86.7%) qualified participants. Most of them demonstrated prose literacy skills and had adequate FHL. Adjusted regression analyses showed that participants with a college-level education (Adjusted prevalence ratio [APR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.27–1.60), categorized under domestic service occupation (APR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03–1.37), and those residing in urban areas (APR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.06–1.24) were significantly more prevalent in exhibiting FHL adequacy. In contrast, male participants and individuals aged 60 years or above were less likely to demonstrate FHL adequacy.ConclusionsThe study presents a baseline assessment of the functional health literacy level, measured using the FHL-5 Test, of adults in the Philippines. Majority of the participants demonstrated FHL adequacy, with relatively higher scores in prose than numeracy literacy. The measurement of FHL adequacy can inform policies on methods of health education and communication, emphasizing the need to stratify the audience based on socio-demographic characteristics and adapt the content and design of informational materials for population-based health educational programs.

Can Health Literacy in Patients with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Improve the Ability to Identify Rumors? A Cross-sectional Study

Objective: To examine the connection between rumor recognition and health literacy in people with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Methods: In this study, a cross-sectional design was employed. From May 6, 2020 to January 24, 2021, a total of 10 hospitals in each of the 5 major administrative regions of East China, North China, Central China, South China, and Northwest China were used as survey sites, and researchers were recruited to intercept CAG patients for questionnaire surveys through convenience sampling. We collected data using a self-designed questionnaire based on the functional, communicative, and critical health literacy and anti-rumor platforms. The t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple stepwise linear regression analysis were all performed using SPSS 26.0. Results: A total number 602 valid samples were obtained in this study. CAG patients had a health literacy score of (51.07±11.03). For patients with CAG, the rumor recognition ability score was (8.44±2.95), with a mean correct rate of 52.8%. There were statistical differences in the ability to read rumors among patients with atrophic gastritis by place of residence (P<0.01), age (P<0.001), nation (P<0.001), marital status (P<0.05), and level of health literacy (P<0.001). Patients had a weak positive link between health literacy and rumor recognition, according to Pearson correlation analysis (r=0.236, P<0.01). After adjusting for the nation, marital status, residence, and age, multiple stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that the capacity of patients to read rumors increased with increasing levels of functional health literacy (β=0.136, P<0.001) and critical health literacy (β=0.195, P<0.001). Conclusion: This study found CAG patients had lower rumor recognition, and that critical health literacy had a stronger positive effect on their rumor recognition after adjusting for demographic correlations. The use of targeted interventions is recommended to increase critical health literacy and lessen the harmful effects of rumors.

Understanding Health Literacy among University Health Science Students of Different Nationalities.

An adequate level of health literacy is essential for clear communication between patients and health care workers. The internationalization of universities is increasing in the field of health care. The aims of our research were to measure (1) the level of health literacy and its correlation among university students and (2) the relationship between the different instruments measuring health literacy. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the 2020/2021 academic year. The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic status, study data, health status, and health literacy level. According to the HLS-EU-Q16 health literacy questionnaire, more than half of the students had a limited HL level in disease prevention (52.4%) and health promotion (58.4%) subindexes. Nationality was found to be an influencing factor (p < 0.001). According to the NVS, 80.1% of the students had an adequate HL level. A significant correlation was found between the results and nationality (p = 0.005). None of the Chew questions demonstrated a correlation with nationality (q1 p = 0.269, q2 p = 0.368, q3 p = 0.528). Nationality is a key factor in the level of subjective and functional health literacy. We need to measure both types of levels to see the real results.

THE EFFECT OF HEALTH LITERACY ON RATIONAL DRUG USE BEHAVIOR

The main purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the factors affecting the health literacy levels of individuals on the factors affecting their rational drug use levels using path analysis and to reveal the path coefficients according to the degree of importance. The study population of the research consisted of patients and their relatives who received health services from pharmacies operating in Sakarya city centres. A population-based cross-sectional research design was applied. Frequency analysis, explanatory factor analysis and path analysis techniques were applied to the research data. IBM SPSS 23 V and AMOS package programs were used in the analysis of the data. Functional health literacy levels of individuals has affected their; correct drug use, effective drug use and safe drug use levels in a statistically significantly and positive manner. In addition, it has been determined that the communicative health literacy levels of individuals affected their; correct drug use, effective drug use and safe drug use levels in a statistically significant and negative way. In this research, it is recommended to provide education and information programs to increase the health literacy level of the society and to raise awareness about the correct rational use of drugs.

Association of Fear of COVID-19 and Health Literacy Among the General Public in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Assessment.

ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the level of fear of coronavirus disease—2019 (COVID-19) among the general public in Saudi Arabia and the association of its scores with their level of health literacy.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population in Saudi Arabia from April 2020 to May 2020. A three-part online self-reported survey was used to assess the participants' demographic characteristics, fear of COVID-19 of the participants, and levels of health literacy.ResultsOf the 848 participants, 56.8% were in the age group of 25–34, 45.6% were females, and 57.1% had a bachelor's degree. The total mean score of the fear of COVID-19 scale of the participants was FCoV-19: mean ± SD = 19.60 ± 7.33 and the health literacy was HL index: mean ± SD = 27.57 ± 11.05. There was a significant difference in the scores of fear of COVID-19 scale in terms of age (F = 2.442, p = 0.050), representing that those aged 45 and above had higher mean fear scores than the younger participants. The analysis revealed that an increased level of fear of COVID-19 was associated with older age (B = 1.87; p = 0.020), being unemployed (B = 0.76; p = 0.023), with no formal education (B = 0.89; p = 0.001), and low level of health literacy (B = 0.02; p = 0.021).ConclusionThe study shows an above-average level of fear of COVID-19 of the general public in Saudi Arabia and its association with a low level of functional health literacy. Timely and comprehensive health interventions should be promoted to enhance the level of health literacy and further reduce the level of fear of COVID-19 in the community.

Influência do letramento funcional em saúde na adesão ao tratamento com antidepressivos

To verify the influence of patients' level of functional health literacy on adherence to antidepressant treatment. Cross-sectional study, carried out in pharmacies of the Municipal Health Department of Marília-SP, in 2020/2021. The functional literacy questionnaire verified the numerical and interpretative skills of patients, in the face of texts related to the health area. The adherence to the treatment was verified using the Morisky therapeutic adherence scale, and the data were analyzed by Anova-one-way and Kruskal-Wallis tests. A total of 150 patients participated in the study, most of them showed failures in adherence and an inadequate level of functional health literacy. However, there was no correlation between functional health literacy and treatment adherence. Although no correlation was found between the variables, there is a need for greater investments in terms of adherence to the treatment, with strategies that consider the level of functional health literacy in these patients.

The comparative analysis of level of literacy in issues of health among residents of the Northern Caucasian Federal Okrug

The article presents the results of comparative analysis of level of health literacy of population of the North Caucasian Federal Okrug of The Russian Federation. The analysis established that the level of functional health literacy of respondents depends on gender, education, standards of living and residence. The lower level of this type of health literacy is established in males, residents of rural areas, individuals with lower standard of living and lower level of education (p<0.05). The interactive level of health literacy is higher in females, urban residents and individuals with higher level of education (p<0.05). The respondents that assessed their level of life as being high demonstrated higher level of interactive health literacy (p<0,05). The number of respondents capable to be oriented in necessary planned medical examinations can be considered as a criterion of critical health literacy. The percentage of respondents oriented in this issue is higher in females, citizens and individuals with higher level of education and life (p<0.05).

Demographics, health literacy and health locus of control beliefs of Australian women who take complementary medicine products during pregnancy and breastfeeding: A cross‐sectional, online, national survey

BackgroundPregnant and breastfeeding women's use of complementary medicine products (CMPs) is common, and possibly associated with autonomous health care behaviours. However, the health literacy levels and health locus of control (HLOC) beliefs of women who use CMPs in pregnancy and lactation have not been previously assessed in a large Australian sample.AimThe aim of this study is to determine the health literacy levels and HLOC beliefs of women who use CMPs in pregnancy and lactation and determine the types of CMPs used.MethodsA cross‐sectional, national, online survey of Australian pregnant or breastfeeding women aged 18 years and older, and currently using CMPs was conducted.ResultsA total of 810 completed surveys (354 pregnant and 456 breastfeeding women) were analysed. Most had adequate functional health literacy levels (93.3%). Health care practitioners (HCPs) HLOC mean scores were the highest for the sample, followed by Internal HLOC beliefs mean scores. Almost all (n = 809) took at least one dietary supplement, the most popular being pregnancy and breastfeeding multivitamins, iron supplements and probiotics. Use was generally in line with clinical recommendations, except for low rates of iodine supplementation. Herbal medicine use was lower for the total sample (57.3%, n = 464), but significantly higher (p < .0001) for the breastfeeding cohort, with consumers taking one to four herbal medicines each. The most popular herbs were raspberry leaf, ginger, peppermint and chamomile (pregnant respondents) and chamomile, ginger and fenugreek (breastfeeding respondents).ConclusionsRespondents were health literate, with high scores for Internal and HCP HLOC scales, suggesting that they are likely to demonstrate self‐efficacy, positive health behaviours and work well in partnership with HCPs. HCPs can facilitate discussions with pregnant and breastfeeding women using CMPs, while considering women's health literacy levels, health beliefs and goals.

Health Literacy Levels and Predictors Among Lebanese Adults Visiting Outpatient Clinics in Beirut.

Background:To date, there has been a dearth of research on health literacy in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and in particular Lebanon.Objectives:This cross-sectional study assessed the levels and correlates of health literacy in Lebanese adults.Methods:A total of 587 participants (54.5% women) were recruited from the outpatient clinics of five health facilities in Beirut. The questionnaire consisted of the Arabic version of the Functional Health literacy Scale, the Arabic short version of the European Health Literacy Survey, and questions on sociodemographic and health-related factors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to assess the association of these factors with functional health literacy (FHL) and comprehensive health literacy (CHL) levels.Key Results:About 65.8% had inadequate or problematic FHL and 43.8% had inadequate or problematic CHL. Although FHL was negatively correlated with long-term illness, it was positively correlated with ability to pay and health status. CHL was positively correlated with education, income, ability to pay for treatment, health status, and FHL level, whereas it was negatively correlated with long-term illness. Binary logistic regression showed that low education, low socioeconomic status, and being a widow were predictive of inadequate FHL. Moreover, having inadequate FHL and low income increased the likelihood of having inadequate CHL.Conclusion:This study has identified those with risk factors for inadequate health literacy and unfavorable health outcomes. A national action plan can guide the promotion of health literacy and its embeddedness in society to instill competencies and the environment that would eliminate health inequities and sustain health in Lebanon. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2021;5(4):e295–e309.]Plain Language Summary:This study examined health literacy levels and correlates in 587 Lebanese adults using two recognized screening tools. The first tool measured functional health literacy (FHL), which represents the ability of a person to acquire information on health through reading or writing. The second tool assessed comprehensive health literacy (CHL), which encompasses the ability of a person to use their social skills to acquire health information from different media and make appropriate health decisions based on this information. Close to two-thirds of the participants had inadequate or problematic FHL. More specifically, low education, low socioeconomic status, and widowhood were predictive of inadequate FHL. Nearly one-half of the participants had inadequate or problematic CHL with an increased likelihood of inadequate levels in people with low FHL and low income.

Family Cohesion Is Associated with the Self-Perceived Need for Dental Treatment among Adolescents.

This study explored the association between family cohesion and self-perceived need for dental treatment among adolescents. A school-based representative cross-sectional study was conducted with 746 students aged 15 to 19 randomly selected from schools in Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/guardians provided information on sociodemographic data, and students completed questionnaires about the self-perceived need for dental treatment, dental pain, and family cohesion and adaptability (FACES III). Two dentists were trained (kappa >0.80) to diagnosis dental caries using the Nyvad criteria and assess adolescents' level of functional oral health literacy (BREALD-30). Descriptive analysis was performed, followed by nonadjusted and adjusted robust binary logistic regression for complex samples (α = 5%). The prevalence of self-perceived need for dental treatment was 88.6%. The presence of dental caries (OR = 2.10; IC 95%: 1.22–3.61), tooth loss (OR = 15.81; IC 95%: 2.14–116.56), dental pain in the last six months (OR = 1.87; IC 95%: 1.06–3.31), and enmeshed family cohesion type (OR = 10.23; IC 95%: 3.96–26.4) remained associated with the self-perceived need for dental treatment in the final model. In conclusion, dental caries, dental pain, tooth loss, and family cohesion influenced the self-perceived need for dental treatment in adolescents.

Functional Health Literacy in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases: Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia.

ObjectiveThis study assessed functional health literacy and associated factors among adult patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 respondents from May 1 to July 1, 2020, using a functional health literacy questionnaire consisting of 14 items that covers three conceptually distinct functional health literacy domains: having sufficient information to manage my health, ability to find good health information and understand health information well enough to know what to do. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23. Data were collected by exit face-to-face interview using an interviewer administered and pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical significance of associated variables had been declared based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% CI and p-value <0.05.ResultsAdequate functional health literacy was determined in 55.4% of CVD patients understanding health information whereas inadequate functional health literacy was determined in 53.9% participants for finding health information and in 50.5% of them having sufficient information to manage my health. Educational status was found to have a statistically significant association across the three domains.ConclusionThe functional health literacy level of CVD patients varied by domain. Educational status of the participant is significantly associated with the three domains of functional health literacy whereas household monthly income and number of information sources are significantly associated with having sufficient information and the ability to find good health information. The findings indicate the need to streamline medical communication that improves the functional health literacy of CVD patients.

Health literacy and information seeking and sharing during a public health crisis in China

ABSTRACT Understanding individual differences in communication behaviors is crucial to achieve strategical communication during a public health crisis. To advance this knowledge, the current study explored how Chinese publics with different levels of functional, communicative, and critical health literacy sought and shared information in different forms (i.e. traditional media, social media, and offline word-of-mouth communication) and from different sources (i.e. government, news agencies, health professionals, the company, and other publics) during the Quanjian crisis, a public health crisis happened in China. Findings suggest that higher functional and critical health literacy were associated with higher frequency of seeking and sharing information of almost all forms and sources. However, communicative health literacy was not associated with seeking and sharing information of most forms and sources. The study contributes to crisis communication literature and practice by suggesting health literacy, as an individual factor, can be used to identify influential publics in crisis information transmission. The study also adds to health literacy literature by suggesting the need to develop context-specific operationalizations of communicative health literacy.

Patient expectations of pressure ulcer prevention in the NHS, healthcare demands and national policy: a critical commentary.

Preventive care was recently identified as a Government priority, which is likely to affect pressure ulcer (PU) preventive care in the NHS. Contemporary economic analyses of PU prevention interventions are undermined by factors including methodological challenges and poor inter-rater reliability of PU risk assessment tools. Healthcare demands on the NHS created by PU prevention remain unclear, although the burden is high, with litigation costs rising continuously. The poorly understood economics of PU prevention may create variation in practice. Patient expectations of PU prevention may be influenced by mainstream media, national awareness campaigns and the varied information and advice offered by professionals. Patient expectations and low levels of functional health literacy may create confusion and unrealistic expectations. This article critically examines the impact of recent changes in Government priorities related to PU prevention, considering the effects of healthcare demand, economics and patient expectations.

Functional health literacy in renal replacement therapy: an integrative review

Abstract Objective To analyze the instruments available to identify the functional health literacy level of patients submitted to renal replacement therapy. Methods Integrative review carried out by searching publications in the PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science databases between October 2017 and January 2018. Full original articles in English, Spanish, or Portuguese made available from 2010 to the moment the search was performed were included. The descriptors used in [...]

Psychometric properties of an Arabic-language health literacy assessment scale for adolescents (HAS-A-AR) in Palestine

ObjectivesHealth literacy research in Palestine is limited, and a locally validated tool for use among adolescents has been unavailable until now. Therefore, this study aimed to adapt health literacy assessment...

Functional Health Literacy and Self-Care Behaviors Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients at a University Teaching Hospital in Kigali

Background&#x0D; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a significant health burden in high-income countries and emerging in sub-Sahara African countries, including Rwanda. Prevention and treatment of T2DM are imperative and need to focus on functional health literacy and self-care practices among people with diabetes.&#x0D; Objective&#x0D; To determine if functional health literacy is associated with self-care behaviors among T2DM patients.&#x0D; Method&#x0D; This study was a descriptive cross-sectional design conducted at a University Teaching Hospital in Kigali. The sample comprised of 223 T2DM patients recruited from the university outpatient department. The questionnaire was developed from two studies. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.&#x0D; Results&#x0D; Results indicated a low-level of functional health literacy, with a wide range of scores from 6.5% to 93.5%, and a mean of 51.66 (SD 15.77).The majority of 123 (55.3%) had inadequate functional health literacy and self-care behaviors. There was a strong association between functional health literacy and self-care behaviors (p &lt; 0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D; The level of functional health literacy among T2DM patients needs to be increased and patients should be highly encouraged to adhere to self-care behaviors. Future research could involve an interventional study to discover the best method to educate T2DM patients.&#x0D; Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; functional health literacy; self-care behaviors; patients T2DM; sub-Saharan Africa