Social learning-based health literacy promotion on the self efficacy and social anxiety of adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Type 1 diabetes mellitus one of the biggest health concerns around the world, is difficult to manage during adolescence. Among the non-medical methods of controlling this disease is empowerment through self-efficacy. Poor self-efficacy leads to social anxiety and ultimately deficiencies in diabetes. There is also a correlation among health literacy, self-efficacy, and social anxiety. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of a literacy promotion training program based on social learning theory on the self-efficacy and social anxiety of adolescents with T1DM.

METHODS: The current research is a semi-experimental type that was carried out with the cooperation of 66 adolescents aged 15-18 years with type 1 diabetes in Iran (Tehran, 2022). It has control and intervention groups. The endocrinology and diabetes clinics of the intervention and control groups were randomly selected in a multi-stage manner (endocrine and diabetes clinic of children's medical center hospital for the control group and endocrine and diabetes clinic of Mofid hospital for the intervention group) and the participants were selected by Simple Random Sampling method (draw). The training program designed based on Bandura's social learning theory was used to teach adolescents during seven consecutive sessions of 30-45 min during one week. Questionnaires were completed before and one month after the intervention. Data were analysed in SPSS-25 software.

FINDINGS: The intervention for adolescents with T1DM in intervention group compared to the control group had a significant effect on improve health literacy (P<0.001), self-efficacy (P<0.001), and social anxiety (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The results can also be used to improve the capabilities of adolescents with T1DM, reduce and prevent disease complications, and develop operational-educational programs in the centers from which these adolescents receive various services.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20210422051045N1.