Self-care practices of Malaysian adults with diabetes and sub-optimal glycaemic control.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the self-care practices of Malaysian adults with diabetes and sub-optimal glycaemic control.


METHODS
Using a one-to-one interviewing approach, data were collected from 126 diabetic adults from four settings. A 75-item questionnaire was used to assess diabetes-related knowledge and self-care practices regarding, diet, medication, physical activity and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).


RESULTS
Most subjects had received advice on the importance of self-care in the management of their diabetes and recognised its importance. Sixty-seven subjects (53%) scored below 50% in their diabetes-related knowledge. Subjects who consumed more meals per day (80%), or who did not include their regular sweetened food intakes in their daily meal plan (80%), or who were inactive in daily life (54%), had higher mean fasting blood glucose levels (p=0.04). Subjects with medication non-adherence (46%) also tended to have higher fasting blood glucose levels. Only 15% of the subjects practiced SMBG. Predictors of knowledge deficit and poor self-care were low level of education (p = <0.01), older subjects (p=0.04) and Type 2 diabetes subjects on oral anti-hyperglycaemic medication (p = <0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
There were diabetes-related knowledge deficits and inadequate self-care practices among the majority of diabetic patients with sub-optimal glycaemic control.


CONCLUSIONS
This study should contribute to the development of effective education strategies to promote health for adults with sub-optimal diabetes control.
Tan
Ming Yeong
MY
Discipline of Nursing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. mytan53@hotmail.com
Magarey
Judy
J
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents