Table 5 Factor loadings of the Persian version of DHLS

F1: Informational health literacy

T1: I can read and understand booklets and educational materials related to diabetes

T2: I can understand the written information given by the physician about diabetes treatment or an examination

T3: I can receive and print the results of my diabetes test through the website that has been announced by the lab, hospital, etc

T4: I can understand the information about diabetes that I sought from different sources (for example booklets, TV, Internet, etc.)

T5: I understand the information provided by the health-care provider on diabetes management

T6: I can earn reliable information about diabetes from different sources

F2: Numerate health literacy

T7: When a change occurs in my personal plan, I can change the appointment date or time for a medical checkup

T8: I can calculate the next time taking my diabetes medications

T9: I can determine the amount of carbohydrate content per meal from the nutrition label on food packaging

T10: Based on the results of my blood glucose test, I can understand whether my blood glucose levels are normal or not

T11: I can understand information about diabetes that are provided as ratios, probabilities or graphs

F3: Communicative health literacy

T12: When I have a question about diabetes, I usually ask a health-care provider

T13: I can explain the condition of my diabetic disease for health care provider

T14: When I eating out with my friends or colleagues, I can explain the reason why I should have a diabetic diet