Determining Diabetes Risk and Health Literacy Levels in Individuals Aged 45 and Above: A Descriptive Correlational Study

AbstractIntroduction and Purpose: The period betweenregistering normal glucose metabolism and unmistakable diabetes mellitus (DM) isknown as the “prediabetic period” and evolves into unmistakable Type 2 DM in5%-10% of individuals (1,2). In 2020, one out of every threeAmericans is a prediabetic. More importantly, eightout of every ten adults are unaware that they are prediabetic (3). According to the data of the World HealthOrganization  (WHO), 1.5 million  people lost their lives to diabetesin 2019. Almost half of these deaths (48%) were individuals under the age of 70(4). The aim of thisstudy is to determine actual and perceived diabetes risk in individuals aged≥45 and their health literacy levels.Methods and Materials: The study isof descriptive, correlational design and was conducted with 82 university staffmembers of ages ≥45 years. The population of the study comprised 240individuals, ages 45 and over, who were staff personnel at a state universityas of 2020. Sample size, as calculated in this known population,was found to be 147. The sample group was made up of individualsvolunteering to participate in the study over the period July 2020-May 2021.Since the data collection phase of the study coincided with the COVID-19pandemic, the targeted sample size could not be reached, and the research wascarried out with 82 (55.7%) individuals. Along with Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC), was used to collect dataof the question, “Please comment on your diabetes risk?” and the HealthLiteracy Scale for Turkey (HLST-32). This study was approved by Ethicscommittee of aState University Clinical Research Ethics Committee(Approval No: E.12759 dated29/06/2020). Online informed consent was obtained from theparticipants who agreed to take part in the study.Results: About of twenty-six percent for the participants exhibited a high/very highactual diabetes mellitus risk. A positive and significant correlation was foundbetween the participants’ actual and perceived risk of diabetes mellitus(r=0.771, p<0.001). Seventy-two percent of the individuals displayedinadequate, problematic/limited levels of health literacy. There was no significant correlation between actual and perceived diabetesmellitus risk and healthliteracy scores. Conclusion: Individuals are aware that they are at risk of developing diabetesmellitus. About three out of every four participants had a low health literacylevel. The fact that a more educated group such as university personneldemonstrated low health literacy compared to the general public is an issuethat must be addressed. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, actual risk, perceived risk, health literacy,university staffReferences1. Republic ofTurkey, Ministry of Health, Turkey Public Health Institution. Turkish DiabetesProgramme, 2015-2020. Ankara: Kuban Publication.2. Tabák AG,Herder C, Rathmann W, et al. Prediabetes: A high-risk state for diabetesdevelopment. Lancet. 2012;379(9833):2279-90. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60283-93. Centers for Disease Controland Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report. Atlanta, GA: US Dept ofHealth and Human Services; 2020.4. World Health Organization (WHO-2021). DiabetesKey Facts. Available from:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes