Examining the Association between diabetic health literacy and blood glucose control among Patients with Diabetes at Public Health Facilities in Bishoftu town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023/2024: Unmatched Case-Control Study

Abstract

Uncontrolled blood glucose levels in most diabetes patients result from poor diabetes health literacy and are linked with significant mortality and morbidity. Diabetes patients with poor diabetic health literacy may have inadequate glycemic control likely to experience complications from the disease. However, insufficient studies support such a hypothesis in most low-income countries. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to investigate the link between diabetic health literacy and blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Methods: A health facility-based case-control study was carried out in Bishoftu town, involving all individuals diagnosed with DM who began follow-up. Cases included diabetic patients with uncontrolled blood glucose, while controls consisted of diabetic patients with controlled blood glucose. The sample size was determined using Epi-Info, comprising 94 cases and 276 controls. A structured, interview-administered questionnaire was utilized to gather data. The data analysis was conducted using STATA version 17. Descriptive analysis was conducted using simple frequencies and cross-tabulations to examine sociodemographic characteristics and other independent variables. Bivariate data analysis checked the correlation between diabetic health literacy and other independent variables against blood glucose level. Moreover, a multivariable analysis using binary logistic regression was conducted to identify independent predictors of blood glucose levels.