@article {ALSharit465, author = {Bushra A. ALSharit and Eman A. Alhalal}, title = {Effects of health literacy on type 2 diabetic patients{\textquoteright} glycemic control, self-management, and quality of life}, volume = {43}, number = {5}, pages = {465--472}, year = {2022}, doi = {10.15537/smj.2022.43.5.20210917}, publisher = {Saudi Medical Journal}, abstract = {Objectives: To examine the pathway in which health literacy affects diabetic patients{\textquoteright} quality of life (QoL) with self-care management skills and glycemic control levels (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) mediating the relationship.Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out between April 2019 and September 2019. A convenience sample of participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited from 3 primary healthcare centers, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using structured interviews and HbA1c levels were collected from medical files. Structural equation modeling was also used.Results: Among the 256 participants, 27.3\% had a marginal level of health literacy and 35.5\% had an inadequate level of health literacy. Health literacy positively affects self-care management, glycemic control (HbA1c), and QoL directly and indirectly. Self-care management partially mediates this relationship.Conclusion: Healthcare providers need to assess health literacy and develop interventions that enhance diabetic patients{\textquoteright} health literacy because it influences self-care management skills, glycemic control, and patients{\textquoteright} QoL. Health literacy should be considered as a key for health education and healthcare encounter to improve health outcomes.}, issn = {0379-5284}, URL = {https://smj.org.sa/content/43/5/465}, eprint = {https://smj.org.sa/content/43/5/465.full.pdf}, journal = {Saudi Medical Journal} }