An Educational Initiative to Promote Self-Care Practices in Hispanic Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

• Main Author: Bridges, Geralde S
• Format: Others
• Published: NSUWorks 2019
• Subjects: Nursing
• Online Access: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_con_stuetd/62; https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1062&context=hpd_con_stuetd

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become pandemic and is predicted to increase among Americans. Hispanic Americans are at high risk for the disease. T2D is a causative factor in many chronic illnesses among adults in the United States. A major contributing factor to poor adherence to diabetes treatment plans is knowledge deficit related to the disease, its management, and its complications. Therefore, education in self-care practices is critical in diabetes management. Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project (QIP) was to promote self-care practices among T2D Hispanic patients through a diabetes self-management education (DSME) program. The project had five objectives: (a) to develop and (b) implement the DMSE; and to evaluate patients’ (c) blood glucose levels, (d) knowledge and practice of self-care management, and (e) self-efficacy in self-care practices before and after the educational initiative. Theoretical Framework: Pender’s Health Promotion Model was used for this evidence-based practice project. Methods: A quantitative exploratory design was used for this QIP. An educational program was developed from the American Diabetes Association care standards for diabetic needs. Twenty T2D patients at a South Florida urban medical center were recruited and provided with individualized educational sessions. With paired-samples t tests, their blood glucose levels, knowledge and practice of self-care, and self-confidence in their self-care were measured preintervention and 2 to 3 months postintervention with individual glucose measurements, the Self-Care Inventory-Revised Questionnaire, and the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Questionnaire. Results: The results showed that participants’ blood glucose levels decreased significantly from pre- to postintervention (p < .000). Participants’ knowledge of and adherence to diabetes self-care increased significantly (p < .000). Participants’ self-efficacy in their ability to practice self-care also increased significantly (p < .000). Conclusion: The educational initiative was highly effective in lowering T2D participants’ HgA1c levels and increasing their knowledge of, adherence to, and confidence in their self-care management practices. Future research should include replication of this project with larger samples and in other geographic locations. T2D management requires constant education, and similar educational initiatives should be implemented in other medical facilities so that T2D patients may improve their self-management and quality of life.