Health Literacy Status and Understanding of the Prescription Instructions in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the health literacy (HL) of patients having diabetes mellitus, their understanding of prescription instructions (PI), and the correlation between HL and understanding of PI. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 263 adult diabetic patients who were assessed for their understanding of route of intake of the prescribed medication(s), frequency of intake, number of medication(s) to be consumed each time, indication for the medication(s), and the relation of drug intake with food. The HL of the patients was assessed by using Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, a screening test comprising of 66 health-related words. The number of correctly pronounced words was used to assign a grade-equivalent reading level. There was a significant difference in the understanding of PI in patients with low and high HL levels. A significant difference was observed between the mean total score for interpreting PI in patients with 7 or fewer years of education compared with the other groups with a higher educational status (P < 0.001). To conclude, diabetic patients with low HL level will have difficulty in understanding PI. Hence, an alternative comprehensive strategy needs to be adopted in clinical practice in these patients to provide them the instructions to take medications properly.

Health literacy, preventive COVID 19 behaviour and adherence to chronic disease treatment during lockdown among patients registered at primary health facility in urban Jodhpur, Rajasthan

“…In the Indian context, Singh et al. used the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) to determine health literacy and reported low literacy levels in a large proportion (63%) of diabetes patients [ 15 ].…”

“…Low health literacy is associated with poor quality of life, non-adherence to management protocols, minimal or no self-care, increased health expenditure, morbidity, and mortality among chronic disease patients [ [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ]. Health literacy in India is insufficiently explored, and limited literature available assessing the same [ [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] ].…”

¿Por qué los pacientes no retiran todos los medicamentos y productos sanitarios que les son prescritos por el médico?

“…Shivangini Sing et al (30) estudiaron, en consultas externas de un hospital, el conocimiento de pacientes diabéticos y lo relacionaron con el nivel cultural sanitario del paciente, descubriendo que el 22,6 % de ellos no conocía la frecuencia de las tomas y que el 28,0 % no conocía el número de unidades por toma. Además, establecieron una relación directa y significativa entre la cultura sanitaria del paciente y sus conocimientos.…”

Diyabetli Bireylerde Sağlık Okuryazarlığı ve Akılcı İlaç Kullanımı Arasındaki İlişki

“…Bu komplikasyonların önlenebilmesi ya da geciktirilebilmesi için ise bireyin hastalık yönetimini en doğru şekilde yapabilmesi son derece önemlidir (16). Diyabetli bireylerin hastalıklarını etkili bir şekilde yönetebilmeleri için sağlık profesyonellerinden, tedavinin temel taşı olduğu bildirilen diyabet eğitimi almaları ve verilen eğitim talimatlarını anlamaları gerektiği bildirilmektedir (12,17). Bireylerin bu eğitim talimatlarını anlaması ve sağlık ile ilgili karmaşık konularda sahip olduğu bilgi ve yeterlilik ise sağlık okuryazarlığı (SOY) olarak bilinir (18).…”