There is currently a lack of valid instruments to measure adolescent diabetes numeracy. The Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT) was adapted for type 1 diabetes and was administered to 2 samples of adolescents. Sample 1 was administered the 39-item version of the DNT (DNT-39) with measures of self-management, responsibility, reading, and glycemic control (A1C). Sample 2 was administered the 14-item version of the DNT (DNT-14) with measures of self-management, responsibility, problem solving, and A1C. Both versions of the DNT showed adequate internal reliability. In Sample 1, the DNT-39 and DNT-14 were related (r =.87, p =.001), and both DNT versions were related to parent education (for DNT-14, r =.31, p =.02; for DNT-39, r =.29, p =.03) and reading (for DNT-14, r =.36, p =.005; for DNT-39, r =.40, p =.001). In Sample 2, the DNT-14 was related to A1C (r = -.29, p =.001), reading skills (r =.36, p =.005), diabetes problem solving (r =.27, p =.02), adolescent age (r =.19, p =.03), and parent education (r =.31, p =.02). In combined analyses, 75% of items were answered correctly on the DNT-14 (range = 7-100), and performance was associated with age (r =.19, p =.03), pump use (r =.33 p =.001), and A1C (r = -.29, p =.001). The DNT-14 is a feasible, reliable, and valid numeracy assessment that indicated adolescents with type 1 diabetes have numeracy deficits that may affect their glycemic control.
展开▼
