Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM): The Role of Health Literacy and Numeracy
https://doi.org/10.15605/jafes.041.S1
- Author:
Sharon Chung Tuang Yuk
1
;
Joyce Hong Soo Synn
2
;
Lim Poi Giok
3
;
Yang Wai Wai
1
Author Information
1. Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia;Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2. Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
3. Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Azizah
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Humans;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1;
Glycemic Control;
Health Literacy
- From:
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies
2026;41(S1):130-
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction:Type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common form of diabetes diagnosed in childhood. The Diabetes in Children
and Adolescents Registry (Di-CARE) in Malaysia reported that many of these patients are between 10 and 19 years old.
However, little is known about the association of their health literacy and numeracy with their glycemic control.
Methodology:A cross-sectional study among T1DM patients aged 12 to 19 years old who attended Paediatric Endocrine Clinic at
Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani and Hospital Tunku Azizah was conducted from March 2025 to
March 2026. Participants answered 14 questions on the Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT-14) and completed a 29-item health
literacy questionnaire (myMOHLAA-Q). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 30. The relationship of health
literacy and numeracy with glucose control (HbA1c) was analyzed using Spearman’s rank order correlation.
Results:A total of 43 adolescents with T1DM were recruited with a median age of 15.2 years (IQR: 13.2–17.2 years). There were
22 female (51.2%) and 21 male (48.8%) participants. The majority of the participants (n = 27, 62%) had moderate glycemic
control with a median HbA1c of 8.3% (IQR: 7.5–9.6%). A Spearman’s correlation revealed a negative relationship between
mean HbA1c and knowledge on blood glucose monitoring, rs (43) = −0.34, p <0.05. Additionally, positive relationships were
found of knowledge on blood glucose monitoring and knowledge on insulin with total DNT-14 score, rs (43) = 0.54, p <0.001
and rs (43) = 0.78, p <0.001, respectively. The small sample size may have limited the ability to detect other significant
relationships.
Conclusion:The majority of T1DM adolescents have moderate glycemic control. Active intervention in improving knowledge on blood
glucose monitoring and insulin helps to improve glycemic control, reiterating the importance of diabetes education in
the long-term management and glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
- Full text:2026080510442201874BP_P003.pdf
