Diabetic health literacy and associated factors among patients with diabetes attending follow-up in public hospitals of Northeastern Ethiopia: a multicentre cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo assess the magnitude of diabetic health literacy (DHL) and associated factors among diabetes patients attending follow-up at public hospitals in Northeastern Ethiopia.DesignAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 24 May to 24 June 2022.SettingDiabetic clinics of four public hospitals in Northeastern Ethiopia.Participants611 adult diabetes patients who have been undergoing follow-up care for at least 6 months were systematically selected. Patients who were unable to communicate, were critically ill and with gestational diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study.OutcomesDHL was assessed using a 15-item tool developed from existing literature.ResultsOf all the participants, 300 (49.1%) had low, 174 (28.5%) moderate and 137 (22.4%) had high DHL levels. The significant factors impacting DHL included age (