PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the levels of and relationships among
health literacy ,
knowledge about diabetes, and
self-care activities in the Korean low-
income elderly with diabetes and to identify factors influencing the
self-care activities of this
vulnerable population .
METHODS: This study surveyed a total of 151 low-
income elderly patients with diabetes registered at 16 Visiting
Health Care Services in B City,
Korea .
Health literacy was measured with the Newest
Vital Sign . Diabetes
knowledge was measured with the Diabetes
Knowledge Test. The Summary of Diabetes
Self-care Activities
Questionnaire was used to assess diabetes
self-care activities. A stepwise multiple
regression analysis was conducted to identify significant factors influencing diabetes
self-care activities in these
patients .
RESULTS: In the regression model, diabetes
knowledge (beta=.322, p<.001),
exercise (beta=.337, p<.001), and experiences of diabetes
education (beta=.241, p=.001) were significantly associated with increased diabetes
self-care activities in low-
income elderly patients with diabetes when
gender ,
education, health literacy , and
subjective health state were controlled.
CONCLUSION: To improve diabetes
self-care activities in the low-
income elderly with diabetes, it is important to develop a customized program considering their
knowledge ,
exercise , and diabetes
education experience.