Health literacy and empowerment of the elderly in type 2 diabetes prevention in a community setting

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, affecting 415 million people worldwide, with a projected rise to 642 million by 2040 (OND, 2015). In Portugal, over 1 million people suffer from this disease, with a 23% increase in prevalence among those aged 65 to 74 (DGS, 2017). Health literacy plays a crucial role in the management, control, and prevention of disease in general. However, it is of particular importance in certain conditions, both due to their chronic nature and their impact on people's quality of life, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To promote health literacy among a group of elderly individuals at a Day Center in the Lisbon area by addressing risk factors for the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methodology: Employing a quantitative and qualitative approach, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving a group of 22 elderly individuals. Data were collected through a questionnaire, the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU-PT), which has been translated and validated for use in Portugal. The intervention strategy adopted, Health Education, was supported by pedagogical techniques aimed at empowering the elderly individuals, thus promoting their empowerment.

Conclusion: This community intervention project demonstrated improvements in the acquisition and/or consolidation of knowledge gained through Health Education sessions related to healthy eating and risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Community intervention through a structured health literacy program that reduces constraints, enhances knowledge, and motivates increased physical activity and healthy eating has significant effects on diabetes risk factors (Jenum et al., 2006).

Keywords: Health literacy; type 2 diabetes mellitus; prevention; elderly