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

ObjectiveThis 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.MethodsSeventy 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.ResultsParental 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.ConclusionsData from this study highlight the importance of considering the role of parental numeracy, in health outcomes for children with Type 1 DM.Practice implicationsPractitioners should assess parental health literacy and consider intervention when needed.