Relationship between the level of knowledge about type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in older adults and self-care practices

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is one of the chronic diseases that most affects the elderly population.  Puerto Rico as a United States’ jurisdiction is the place with the highest prevalence of diabetes cases. Older adults have been shown to lack knowledge related to the condition, this being a key link in allowing them to effectively follow through with self-care practices.

Objective: To explore the level of knowledge about Diabetes Mellitus Type II, and its relationship with self-care practices carried out by older adults in Puerto Rico.

Methodology: Descriptive correlational design. The sample was 59 older adults with Diabetes Mellitus Type II, participants from an elderly center in Puerto Rico. The instruments used were: Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire (DKQ-24) and Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (SDSCA).

Results: The total score of the knowledge questionnaire was located in an average of 13 (56.8%) points out of a total of 24. Regarding the self-care variable, the constant was between 3 to 5 days out of the total of 7 days that wraps up a week.  The existence of a significant correlation between the level of knowledge and self-care activities that diabetes requires was proven (r = 0.58, p <0.001).

Conclusion: Older adults have limited knowledge about diabetes mellitus type II. Self-care follow through is related to the level of knowledge that the older adult has about diabetes mellitus type II.