ABSTRACT
Self care is a dynamic process for controlling diabetes. The aim of study was to determine the role of family support in encouraging self care for patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was performed in Mashad Health Center No 2 with 950 participants, using the cluster sampling method. The study tool, a researcher-made questionnaire with validity and reliability of r = 0.85, covered demographic data, patient information, percept self care, self efficiency, and family support. The inclusion criterion was having diabetes type II for at least one year. Family support as an independent variable, self care as an dependent variable, and demographic factors were the background factors. Data were analyzed by SPSS v16, using T-test, Chi 2 and logistic regression models. Among 1340 participants, 33.5% had irregular diabetes control, whereas married patients [p= 0.076] with small families [p= 0.042] and higher education [p=0.001], males [p=0.002], urban areas [p= 0.001] had better self care. Among the different aspects of self care, therapeutic care ranked first, followed by diet control and foot care ranked last. Higher family support enhanced self care and therefore higher weight loss [p=0.066], more decrease in blood glucose [p=0.075], and more normal HbA1c [p=0.056]. Selfcare was higher in male married patients, small families with higher education, urban area and those with longer duration of diabetes. Among different aspects of self care using medication had the highest rank whereas foot care received the least attention
ABSTRACT
Benzodiazepines [BDZs] can have both beneficial and adverse effects and are the largest-selling drug group in the world. The potential of dependence with BDZ has been known for almost three decades now. The risk of misuse of and dependence on these drugs seems higher in countries where laws against unlicensed sale of BDZ are not implemented strongly. Since there is little know about the pattern of using BDZ in Iran therefore we designed this study to investigate to find out more about the prevalence of BDZ use in psychiatric patients in Mashhad, Iran. Twenty pharmacies were chosen for this study carried out a cross-sectional survey over 3 months in outpatient of pharmacy in Mashad, Iran. Besides basic socio-demographic data the participants were asked if they were taking a BDZ at present and if yes, the frequency, route and dosage of the drug, who had initiated the drug and why it had been prescribed. Out of a total of 400 participants 17.5% of the participants had been currently using at least one BDZ for 4 weeks or longer. Only 45% of cases the BDZ had been initiated by a doctor. Gender, Educational status, employment status and smoking were associated with an increased likelihood of using BDZ. The study shows most of the users were taking it for duration and with a frequency which puts them at risk of becoming dependent on BDZ. In most of the cases it had not been initiated by a doctor. Both patients and doctors need to be made aware of the risk of dependency associated with the use of BDZ