Characteristics and Correlates of Health Information Literacy Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics and the influential effect of individual and social contextual factors on health information literacy among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes coexisting with metabolic syndrome. Methods Following convenience sampling, a total of 225 patients with type 2 diabetes coexisting with metabolic syndrome were recruited from a tertiary hospital in a suburban area of Beijing, China. Participants’ information was gathered through a set of self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, normality test, correlational analysis, univariate analysis, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression analysis were adopted to examine the potential factors of personal and social contextual resource related to health information literacy based on the health empowerment theory. Results The health information literacy in this current sample was limited, with a mean score of 16.83 ± 2.96. Correlational analysis showed that self-management knowledge, attitude, and practice for metabolic syndrome; self-efficacy; health problem-solving; resilience; and chronic illness resources were significantly and positively related to health information literacy. Logistic regression analysis showed that self-management knowledge, health problem-solving, and the chronic illness resources were significantly correlated with health information literacy after controlling covariates. Conclusions Overall, the health information literacy among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes coexisting with metabolic syndrome is suboptimal. Study findings demonstrated that personal and social contextual resources factors are significantly related to health information literacy. Health care professionals should consider strategies to enhance people’s health information literacy level and promote individuals’ health problem-solving, enhance chronic illness resources, and improve self-management knowledge when developing tailored interventions.