CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 52, no. 3, 2026

Evaluating Health Literacy In Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated in Primary Health Care in the Attica Region of Greece

[Original Paper]

M. MILAKA(1), E. VLACHOU(2), I. KALEMIKERAKIS(2), A. KOULOURI(3), I. TSATSOU(2), A. KAVGA-PALTOGLOU(2)


(1)?eratsini Health Center, Attica, Greece;
(2)Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece;
(3)2nd Regional Health Administration Pireus and the Aegean, Attica, Greece


Abstract:

Background: Effective management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) requires high health literacy (HL). This study evaluated the multidimensional HL of patients with T2DM in Primary Health Care (PHC) structures in Greece, which serve as the first point of contact for DM management. Methodology: This quantitative, cross-sectional study included 201 patients from PHC structures in Attica. Participants completed the Literacy Assessment Scale for Diabetes (LAD), the Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT), and the Diabetes Numeracy Test-5 (DNT-5). Results: Participants demonstrated high oral reading ability (LAD mean: 57.8) but moderate diabetes knowledge (DKT mean: 9.0) and numeracy (DNT-5 mean: 2.0). Statistically significant moderate positive correlations were found between all three scales (p<0.001), with the strongest relationship between knowledge and numeracy (r=0.56). Educational level was the most robust positive predictor across all domains. Conversely, increased age and comorbidities significantly hindered numeracy skills. Patients living with DM for more than five years demonstrated significantly higher DKT and DNT-5 scores in the adjusted models. Conclusions: A significant gap exists between basic reading ability and diabetes comprehension. PHC models should shift from physician-centric information delivery to multidisciplinary, interactive approaches, to ensure patient understanding and improve self-management outcomes.


Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes, primary health care, health literacy, knowledge, numeracy.



Corresponding: Ioanna Tsatsou, Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece, e-mail: itsatsou@uniwa.gr


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.52.03.11 - Download PDF
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