Iranian Journal of

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major general health problem that causes widespread effects on the individual and social functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy and general health in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 200 patients referred to the Diabetes Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1392. Data were collected using three questionnaires: demographic characteristics, health literacy (TOHFLA), general health (GHQ28 . Data analyses were done by using descriptive statistical tests, frequency distribution tables and tests (test t, ANOVA) using SPSS (Version 16).

Result: More than half of participants (58%) didn't have adequate health literacy and their general health was average (average: 53/7 ± 58/48). There was a significant correlation between health literacy and public health (p: 0.007, r:-0.191). Health Literacy was statistically significant with three aspect of general health, anxiety and sleep disorders (p: 0/0029, -0/154), social functioning (p: 0/013, r:-0/176) and depression (p: 0/002, r:-0/218).

Conclusion: In general, chronic diseases, including diabetes type 2 has clinical, social and psychological problems, which leads to mental and physical limitations in these people. This study showed that inadequate health literacy and public health are common problems, which indicate that diabetic patients need more education to improve their level of health literacy and general health.