Adherence and Empowerment of Users With Diabetes Mellitus as to Self-Care Practices

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the adherence and empowerment of diabetic users regarding self-care and glycemic self-control practices, based on group education.   Methods: This is an epidemiological, with a quantitative approach, carried out in two Basic Health Units in a municipality in Paraíba. The research was carried out in the municipality of Serra Grande-PB, in the Basic Health Units: UBS José Rufino Sobrinho and UBS Maria Socorro da Silva. 300 users participated, with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.   Results: There was a predominance of females, married, with incomplete primary education, residing in urban areas and with a family income of one minimum wage. Given the difficulty in controlling the disease, there was a prevalence of diet as a difficulty among those who find it challenging to take care of their own health. Furthermore, to achieve goals, there is a prevalence of self-motivation among participants who cited food as the greatest difficulty in controlling it.   Conclusion: Therefore, self-care activities among those investigated showed greater performance in activities related to drug therapy and lower dietary adherence (diet) followed by therapies that involve changes in lifestyle such as physical exercise.