The Impact of Individual Health Education on Health Literacy: Evaluation of the Translated Version (Sinhala) of Health Education Impact Questionnaire in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications is increasingly prevalent in Sri Lanka. Patients with low health literacy worsen the glycaemic control and diabetes complications. However, lack of studies on the effect of health literacy that affects clinical health outcomes and the effect of health education on it. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of health education impact questionnaire, translated into Sinhala is an appropriate tool to evaluate the impact of health education program for type 2 diabetes patients based on literacy improvement. Methods: This project was designed as a preliminary case-control study, with health education as the main intervention. Repeated health-education interventions were compared to the control group at baseline, followed up at six and 12 months. The improvements in knowledge assessed through health education impact questionnaire that was translated and culturally adapted to Sinhala language. Results: The study outcomes from 150 patients reveal that all heiQTM domains showed at least low to moderate correlations with the follow ups in intervention while, small effect had been shown in health service navigation in control group. Conclusion: This study reveals that the translated version of health education questionnaire well adapted in assessing knowledge improvement among Sri Lankan participants with type 2 diabetes.