Glycemic control in young children with diabetes: The role of parental health literacy

Abstract

Objective This cross sectional study examined the relationship between parental health literacy (HL), diabetes related numeracy, and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy on glycemic control in a sample of young children with Type 1 DM. Methods Seventy primary caregivers of children (age 3–9 years) with Type 1 DM were recruited and surveyed at diabetes outpatient clinic visits. Patients’ medical histories were obtained by medical chart review. Results Parental diabetes related numeracy (r = −.52, p <.01), but not reading skills (r = −.25, p = NS) were inversely correlated with the child’s glycemic control (HbA1c). Parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy was also negatively correlated to their child’s HbA1c (r = −.47, p <.01). When numeracy and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy were included as predictors of HbA1c, the model was significant (F = 12.93, p<.01) with both numeracy (β = − .46, p<.01) and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy (β = − .36, p=.01) as significant predictors of HbA1c. Conclusions Data from this study highlight the importance of considering the role of parental numeracy, in health outcomes for children with Type 1 DM. Practice Implications: Practitioners should assess parental health literacy and consider intervention when needed.

Psychosocial aspects of type 1 diabetes in Latino- and Asian-American youth

“…In addition, reading skills and, in particular, numeracy among parent caregivers improved HbA1c among their children with T1D (96,97). Paradoxically, among Hispanic adults with diabetes, low health literacy was linked to greater physician trust, treatment adherence, and self-efficacy in their diabetes care, which can improve glycemic control (98,99).…”

Influencia de la infusión contínua de insulina subcutánea en el control de la diabetes tipo 1 en niños

“…Habilidades de lectura (comprensión de textos escritos, tales como planes de gestión de la salud), 2 aritmética (el cumplimiento de los cálculos simples, tales como la dosificación la insulina adecuada a la glucosa en sangre, la dieta y la actividad), y 3.habilidades de navegación (para acceder a recursos, tales como clínicas, médicos y otros servicios). A través de un estudio se demostró que la aritmética en los padres, pero no las habilidades de lectura, se relacionan positivamente en los resultados de los niños con la enfermedad (14) .…”

Impact of numeracy on parental self-efficacy and treatment outcome of children on complex diets.

“…The SNT has been criticized for the questionable validity of self-assessment to measure objective numeracy (Nelson W.I., 2013) To narrow in on numeracy skills relative to routine medical management, a diseasespecific tool has some advantages. The Asthma Numeracy Questionnaire, for instance, was developed to assess a patient's ability to understand and follow typical self-care instructions related to dosing medication and interpreting peak flow meter readings (A. J. DNT has been validated for use with adolescents (Mulvaney, Lilley, Cavanaugh, Pittel, & Rothman, 2013), and adapted for parents of children with diabetes (Pulgaron et al, 2014).…”

“…The most recent A1 C result is typically the sole measure of control (Hassan & Heptulla, 2010), (C. Y. Osborn et al, 2010), (Pulgaron et al, 2014). Daily self-management of T1D includes measurement of blood glucose several times a day.…”

“…Although most research studies use a single A1 C value to assess glycemic control (Hassan & Heptulla, 2010), (C. Y. Osborn et al, 2010), (Pulgaron et al, 2014), a 6-month period was evaluated to measure control over a longer period of time. In addition, the mean, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation of blood glucose levels evaluated at home in the previous 6 months were obtained using data downloaded from each patient's glucometer.…”