THE IMPACT OF DIABETES HEALTH LITERACY ON HOSPITAL READMISSIONS

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health challenge requiring effective self-care, education, and management to reduce complications and hospital readmissions. This study examined the relationship between diabetes health literacy and hospital readmissions among 277 diabetes patients across three healthcare facilities in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. Data on self-care knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-management were collected and analyzed using Pearson correlation at a 0.05 significance level. Results showed strong positive correlations between higher diabetes health literacy and reduced hospital readmissions, with self-care knowledge (r = 0.969, p < 0.05), self-efficacy (r = 0.950, p < 0.05), and self-management (r = 0.876, p < 0.05) as key determinants. Limited health literacy predicted adverse outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted education and psychosocial support. The findings highlight the importance of integrated care models addressing educational, psychological, and behavioural dimensions to improve diabetes outcomes and reduce healthcare burdens in resource-limited settings.