title: Learning needs of youth with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine reports of diabetes learning needs by youth with type 2 diabetes and their family support person (FSP) and to examine correlations of these perceptions with demographic variables.
  
  
  
  Data were analyzed from the Participant Needs Assessment (PNA), a routinely self-administered questionnaire designed to assess learning needs, in 191 youth (mean age = 14.0 ± 1.9 years, duration 8.78 ± 6.30 months; 36% black, non-Hispanic; 40% Hispanic; 20% white) enrolled in the TODAY (Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth) study. Youth and their FSPs completed the PNA at scheduled study visits, rating their learning needs on a 5-point scale, with higher scores indicating higher needs. Paired t tests and ANOVA were used.
  
  
  
  There were no differences in reported learning needs by gender, although scores on the Teen Issues scale approached significance, with girls reporting higher needs than boys. Youth and FSPs were similar on their reports of needs on 3 scales (Ordinary Day, Nutrition, and Living With Diabetes), but youth reported higher needs than FSPs on Focus and Teen Issues. Controlling for duration of diabetes, these differences between youth and FSPs persisted. In general, learning needs for both youth and FSPs decreased over time.
  
  
  
  Youth with type 2 diabetes and their FSPs have high levels of ongoing learning needs despite completion of a standard diabetes education program. Continued assessment of learning needs, follow-up education, and behavioral approaches are warranted for these high-risk youth.
authors.affiliation: Mass General Hospital, Boston, MA (Ms Richards, Ms Larkin, Ms Javier)
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Mass General Hospital, Boston, MA (Ms Richards, Ms Larkin, Ms Javier)
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larkin
authors.affiliation: Joslin Diabetes Center Boston, MA (Ms Milaszewski)
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Milaszewski
authors.affiliation: Mass General Hospital, Boston, MA (Ms Richards, Ms Larkin, Ms Javier)
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Javier
authors.affiliation: University Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH (Ms Casey)
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT (Dr Grey)
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001741:Black or African American; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D002648:Child; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People