The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy, Health Literacy, and Self-Care Behaviors among Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes in Palestine رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is considered the most prevalent chronic disease during adolescence. Self-care behaviors are the cornerstone in diabetes control. There are limited studies assessed the factors correlated with self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1D in Arab World including Palestine. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between self-efficacy, health literacy, and selected demographic variables and self-care behaviors among adolescents with T1D in Palestine. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was used, and 157 adolescents aged 14- 18 were selected by convenience sampling method from primary healthcare settings in Palestine. A self-structured questionnaire included the socio-demographic data, the Diabetic Health Literacy Scale, Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale (SED), and Self-Care Inventory Scale (SCI) was utilized to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and Point biserial correlation tests, and Multiple Linear regression test were utilized to examine the relationship between the variables and predictors of self-care behaviors. The data were collected during the 20th of February to the 1 st of June 2024. Results: The participants reported high level of self-efficacy (M= 108.80, SD=141.92), low levels of health literacy (M=2.12, SD=0.78), and low-level self-care behaviors (M=33.82, SD=7.76). Self-efficacy was correlated positively with self-care behavior (r = 0.396, p < 0.01). Age and HbA1c had a negative relationship with self-care behavior (r =- 0.249, p < 0.01; r = p.b. r = -0.173, p < 0.05), respectively. Self-efficacy and age were the main predictors of self-care behaviors (β = 0.196, p <0.001 and β= -1.256, p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusions: This study help policymakers, healthcare professionals, and parents develop strategies to enhance self-care behaviors through targeted interventions and educational programs. the findings may guide any future educational program or training sessions in order to increase self-efficacy and self-care behaviors among adolescents.