Self-Care Practices Among Home Based Diabetic Elderly In Dakahlia Governorate

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a major global public health problem, which has been known to mankind for over 2000 years. It may affect any individual in the society, regardless of age, sex, or race. Moreover, diabetes and its complications may impair well-being and quality of life. The therapeutic regimen of diabetes is complex, of long duration and requires many behaviors change and adherence to self-care practices on the part of the patient.

The aim of this study is to identify self care practices among home based diabetic elderly in Dakahlia Governorate.

The study was carried out on •100 diabetic elderly selected from the geriatric out patient clinic of Mansoura general hospitaL The study was conducted in the homes of the diabetic elderly in El Mansoura city and the villages affiliated to Dakahlia Governorate. A structured interview schedule and an assessment sheet were developed in order to collected data needed for the study.

A pilot study was carried out on 10 diabetic elderly in order to evaluate the developed tools for its feasibility and applicability. The statistical package for social science "SPSS" was utilized for data analysis and tabulation. The level of significance selected for this study was "P" equal or less than 0.05. The data was collected during the period from the first of January 2004 until the end of June 2004.