title: Knowledge of diabetic patients about their disease before and after implementing a diabetes education program.
abstract: The purpose of this quasi-experimental, prospective and comparative study is to evaluate the knowledge that diabetic patients have about their disease before and after implementing a Diabetes Education Program. Fifty-four diabetic patients participated in the study, which occurred from April 2004 to April 2005. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire. The study population was characterized as adult and elderly subjects, with ages between 29 and 78 years; 60 years, on the average; Most participants were female 40/54 (74.1%); white 32/54 (59.3%); married 37/54 (68.5%); retired 23/54 (42.6%); with incomplete primary education 32/54 (59.3%); and an income of one to two minimum wages 16/54 (29.6%). The patients' knowledge regarding their disease increased significantly (p<0.05); especially considering the general topics concerning diabetes mellitus: concept of the disease, physiopathology and treatments; other topics that stood out were physical activity and nutrition.
authors.affiliation: University of Sao Paulo at Ribeirao Preto, College of Nursing, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Brazil.
authors.forename: Liudmila Miyar
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: Maria Lúcia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Michelle Daguano
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ogrizio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies