Barriers to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) self-care practices among older women.
OBJECTIVE
Noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) constitutes a significant threat to the health and well-being of older women. Appropriate self-care, the cornerstone of glycemic control, is reported to be modest. We aimed to investigate barriers to recommended self-care for NIDDM:


METHODS
A total of 51 African American and White women age 65 and older, completed the Diabetes Self-Care Barriers Assessment Scale for Older Adults, ethnomedical protocol, and other instruments during in-depth interviews.


RESULTS
African American women were more likely than their White counterparts to indicate financial, pain, and visual barriers to self-care. Both African American and White women expressed a reluctance to check blood sugar and to exercise; however, most indicated that they regularly followed medication recommendations and visited their physician.


CONCLUSIONS
This study extends our knowledge of the existence of self-care barriers by providing a qualitative, in-depth perspective detailing how these barriers often prevent optimal self-care behaviors and, conceivably, successful glycemic control.
Schoenberg
N E
NE
University of Kentucky, USA.
Drungle
S C
SC
D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D010146:Pain; D011203:Poverty; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014186:Transportation; D014481:United States; D044465:White People; D014930:Women