Abstract

Objective:
This study aimed to assess the relationship between health literacy levels, self-care behaviors, and glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes in primary care settings in the Riyadh region.
Methods:
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among type 2 diabetics in primary care settings in Riyadh from 4th August to 30th September 2025. Data were gathered through a structured Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ).
Results:
Among 377 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the majority were males (54.4%), aged between 51 and 65 years (38.7%), and employed (70%). The common complications were cardiovascular disease (34.4%), and 72.4% had poor HbA1c (≥7%). The DSMQ scores showed inadequate to partially adequate self-management scores with a median (IQR) of 5 (1.25). The median (IQR) score of the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA) was 25 (4). Around 60% of the participants reported finding written health information difficult to understand; however, 66.8% of them identified abnormal blood glucose level. A significant correlation was found, particularly with higher dietary control, among those who exercised regularly (p-value=0.039), but a lower correlation was observed with retinopathy (p-value=0.012). Physical activity was elevated with onset age ≤40 years (p-value=0.044) and the larger health care use with the onset age>40 years, with HbA1c

Key words: Health literacy, diabetes self-management, adults, glycemic control, Saudi Arabia