Identifying knowledge deficits of food insecure patients with diabetes

The purpose of this project was to identify the self-care needs of adults with diabetes who experience food insecurity. A cross-sectional study design and methodology were used to attain the study data. We invited 153 adults with diabetes who utilized the St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry to complete the diabetes knowledge test. The reliability of the sample was calculated using Cronbach's coefficient α. To determine validity, differences in test scores were examined by diabetes type and treatment, educational attainment, and receipt of diabetes education.

The coefficient α for the general test and the insulin-use subscale indicated that both were moderately reliable, α> 0.60. General test scores were significantly associated with educational attainment (p<0.01) and prior diabetes education (p<0.05). We found that participants who attained education beyond high school or previously received diabetes education scored significantly higher on the test compared to those with less than high school education or not receiving diabetes education (p<0.05). Adults with type 1 diabetes had higher general and insulin use scores compared to adults with type 2 diabetes, however the difference was not statistically significant. While general knowledge about diabetes is not a predictor of self-care behavior, it is needed to perform daily self-care activities. Health care providers should assess diabetes knowledge in low income patients who experience food insecurity regularly to identify any gaps in knowledge that can compromise self-care behaviors.