Glycemic control in young children with diabetes: the role of parental health literacy

Abstract

Objective: This cross sectional study examined the relationship between parental health literacy (HL), diabetes related numeracy, and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy on glycemic control in a sample of young children with Type 1 DM.

Methods: Seventy primary caregivers of children (age 3-9 years) with Type 1 DM were recruited and surveyed at diabetes outpatient clinic visits. Patients' medical histories were obtained by medical chart review.

Results: Parental diabetes related numeracy (r=-.52, p<01), but not reading skills (r=-.25, p=NS) were inversely correlated with the child's glycemic control (HbA1c). Parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy was also negatively correlated to their child's HbA1c (r=-.47, p<01). When numeracy and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy were included as predictors of HbA1c, the model was significant (F=12.93, p<.01) with both numeracy (β=-.46, p<.01) and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy (β=-.36, p=.01) as significant predictors of HbA1c.

Conclusions: Data from this study highlight the importance of considering the role of parental numeracy, in health outcomes for children with Type 1 DM.

Practice implications: Practitioners should assess parental health literacy and consider intervention when needed.

Keywords: Children; Glycemic control; Health literacy; Numeracy; Parents; Type 1 diabetes.