Self-monitoring of blood glucose and point in range: assessment of functional health literacy, numeracy, empowerment, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life in people with diabetes mellitus.

• Grant number: 25/05710-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Carla Regina de Souza Teixeira
• Grantee: Luis Angel Cendejas Medina
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Point in Range is intended to become a central measure in diabetes consultations and management by directly observing glycemic excursions and daily profiles obtained through self-monitoring of blood glucose. However, the use of these data and measures can sometimes be perceived as challenging or even overwhelming due to the large amount of information provided and the need to interpret it for self-care. In this sense, the success of this therapeutic approach critically depends on the extent to which individuals are educated to understand and utilize this information and measures, as well as on their personal perception of their ability and motivation to use them. One of the main barriers to interpreting these values, glycemic patterns, and trends is having adequate Functional Health Literacy. Therefore, health literacy, along with numeracy, is essential to achieving positive outcomes with these new metrics and technologies. At the same time, adequate functional health literacy may contribute to the development of empowerment, self-efficacy in diabetes management, and health-related quality of life for individuals with type 2 diabetes who engage in SMBG. Thus, this study aims to analyze the association between sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables and functional health literacy, numeracy, self-efficacy, empowerment, and quality of life in people with diabetes mellitus who perform SMBG and use Point in Range as a metric. By using a mixed-methods approach, a more comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the research subject will be possible, providing a broader understanding of the phenomenon. In the first phase, individuals with type 2 diabetes who perform SMBG will be invited to participate in the study, and quantitative instruments will be applied. In the second phase, participants from the first phase will be selected based on their B-TOFHLA results, and individual semi-structured interviews will be conducted, either in person or online. The narrative texts will undergo reflexive thematic analysis. Finally, data triangulation will be performed, where qualitative data will support the interpretation of quantitative findings. (AU)