Development and validation of the Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT)
2008

Diabetes Numeracy Test Development and Validation

Sample size: 398 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Mary Margaret Huizinga, Tom A Elasy, Kenneth A Wallston, Kerri Cavanaugh, Dianne Davis, Rebecca P Gregory, Lynn S Fuchs, Robert Malone, Andea Cherrington, Darren A DeWalt, John Buse, Michael Pignone, Russell L Rothman

Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Hypothesis

The Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT) is designed to measure numeracy skills specifically needed for diabetes management.

Conclusion

The DNT is a reliable and valid measure of diabetes-related numeracy skills.

Supporting Evidence

  • The DNT had excellent internal reliability (KR-20 = 0.95).
  • The DNT was significantly correlated with education, income, literacy, and diabetes knowledge.
  • The mean score on the DNT was 61%.
  • The DNT15 also had good internal reliability (KR-20 = 0.90).
  • Patients with low literacy showed low numeracy skills on both the WRAT and the DNT.

Takeaway

This study created a test to help people with diabetes understand numbers better, which is important for managing their health.

Methodology

The DNT was developed through expert panel input and cognitive response interviews, followed by testing with a convenience sample of diabetes patients.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the convenience sampling method and lack of patient input in the initial development phase.

Limitations

The study used a convenience sample and was only validated in English-speaking participants.

Participant Demographics

{"average_age":54.2,"gender_distribution":{"male":49,"female":51},"diabetes_type":{"type_1":14,"type_2":86},"education":{"high_school_or_more":83,"less_than_high_school":16}}

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-8-96

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