The association between health literacy and quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study

by Walid Al-Qerem, Anan Jarab, Alaa Hammad, Judith Eberhardt, Fawaz Alasmari, Safa M. Alkaee, Zein H. Alsabaa, Mahmood Al-Ibadah

Health literacy-driven interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes have been found to play an important role in achieving glycemic control and enhancing diabetic self-management outcomes. The present study aimed to examine the role of health literacy as a predictor of quality of life among diabetic patients in Jordan.

This cross-sectional study enrolled 400 Type 2 diabetic patients visiting the endocrinology department at the outpatient clinic at Al Basheer Hospital in Amman, Jordan. The data were collected between 1^st of August and 28^th of December 2023, using the validated Jordanian Diabetic Health Literacy Questionnaire and the EuroQol-5D tool. A quantile regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with health–related quality of life among the study participants.

This study included 68.8% females, with a median age of 58 (50–64) years. The median EQ5-D index score was 0.66 (0.41–0.78). Findings from regression analysis indicated as patients’ age increased, their quality of life scores significantly decreased (-0.004, 95%CI (-0.006, -0.001), p = 0.002). Additionally, higher JDHLQ scores were significantly associated with higher EQ5-D scores (0.012, 95% CI (0.006–0.018), p<0.001). Moreover, patients with only an elementary education had significantly lower EQ5-D scores compared to those with a postgraduate education (-0.106, 95%CI (-0.190, -0.023), p = 0.013).

The findings of the present study emphasize the importance of including health literacy assessments and interventions in the diabetes care plans of patients in Jordan.