Health Literacy and Numeracy in Self-monitoring of Capillary Glycemia: A Systematic Review of Mixed Methods.

Objective: The aim of this study was to synthesize scientific evidence on the influence of health literacy and numerical knowledge on self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose.

Methods: Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines and the principles of the Joanna Briggs Institute, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, OPENGREY, and NDLTD. The review included studies published in any language that examined the relationship between HL, numeracy, and SMBG.

Results: A total of 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies utilized various assessment tools, such as the Brief Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (B-TOFHLA) and the Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT-15), to evaluate health literacy and numeracy levels. The findings revealed a significant association between adequate HL and numeracy and improved SMBG practices. Specifically, individuals with sufficient health literacy were more likely to monitor their blood glucose levels regularly and make appropriate treatment adjustments based on their readings.

Conclusion: The results indicated that numeracy skills and health literacy are critical determinants of effective SMBG, influencing the frequency and accuracy of self-care practices in diabetes management. These findings highlight the urgent need for educational interventions tailored to enhance these skills, which could lead to improved health outcomes for individuals with diabetes.