Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Health Literacy is the capacity in which individuals have to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Limited health literacy can reduce adults’ ability to comprehend and adhere treatment plans. This study was designed and implemented to assess effect of health education on promoting knowledge and health literacy in women with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This randomize clinical trial study, was conducted among 160 women with type 2 diabetes, in two experimental and control groups. Tools of current study were a brief form of standard questionnaire (Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults, TOFHLA) and knowledge was measured by self-administrated questionnaire. Intervention in a form of small groups, was performed in 6 educational sessions (45-60minuts) in experimental group. In order to analyzing data, SPSS16 software was used and independent t- test, Kruskal-Wallis, Whitney U، Wilcoxon, Co-Variation, Chi-square were conducted.

Results: Demographic variables of studied population in two groups was similar before intervention (p>0.05). Differences between the scores of Knowledge and Health Literacy in two groups, after and before intervention, was totally different (after, p<0.001) and (before, p>0/05).

Conclusion: Study findings indicated that education with small group's strategy in experimental group, in comparison with current education is effective.