Predictors of Diabetes Health Literacy and Numeracy Among Urbanized Older Adults in Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.5.20
- Author:
Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat
1
;
Hazwan Mat Din
2
;
Raja Nurzatul Effah Raja Adnan
2
Author Information
1. Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia&Department of Community health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
2. Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia&
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus, Health literacy, Health numeracy, Self-management
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.5):139-144
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Diabetes health literacy and numeracy are health indicators of increasing attention to empower diabetic self-management. This study aimed to explore the predictors of diabetes health literacy and numeracy among
urbanized older adults. Methods: A total of 408 older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 50 years and older
were recruited using stratified random sampling from eight health clinics in Petaling district. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to measure knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, self-care behavioral skills, diabetes health literacy and
numeracy related to diabetes mellitus, as well as the sociodemographic background. Multivariable linear regression
was used to understand and rank the predictors of diabetes health literacy and numeracy among the respondents. Results: The total mean score for diabetes health literacy was 53.74 ± 0.60, which was significantly predicted by age (β
= -0.21, p=0.01), secondary (β =12.21, p<0.001) and tertiary (β = 16.37, p<0.001) education levels, non-Malays (β =
-5.83, p<0.001), being employed (β = -2.77,p=0.02), have other comorbidities (β = -3.02, p=0.003), diabetes related
self-efficacy (β = -0.37, p=0.02) and self-care behavioral skills (β =0.36, p<0.001). Meanwhile, the total mean score
for diabetes health numeracy was 1.50 ± 0.13 and was significantly predicted by age (β=-0.15, p<0.001), secondary
(β=1.09, p=0.002) and tertiary (β=2.24, p<0.001) education levels, and attitude towards diabetes (β=0.16, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Very low diabetic numeracy was observed, which was predicted by increased age, low education and
low attitude score towards managing diabetes. Hence promoting diabetic numeracy should be targeted among older
adults with identified risks.
- Full text:11.2023my1622.pdf
