Assessment of life-style for adults with diabetes mellitus "type II"

ABSTRACT

A descriptive study to was designed to assess the lifestyle for adults with diabetes mellitus [typeII].The study was carried out at the National Diabetes Center, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriya University and Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes in AL-Kindy Teaching Hospital for the period of July 2002to August 2003. The study also aimed to find out the relationship between the life style pattern with demographic characteristic. A purposive [non-probability] sample of [205] patients with criteria of the sample [age 40 years and above and duration of diabetes one years and above] was selected for the study. An assessment form was constructed for the purpose of the study. Test-retest reliability was employed through computation of Pearson correlation coefficient. Content validity of the assessment form was determined through a panel of experts.Data were collected through the interview technique.Data were analyzed through descriptive statistical approach [frequency and percentage] and inferential statistical approach [chi-square and correlation coefficient]. The study indicated that the mean of age was [56.28] year. The majority of them were males who lived in urban area with a nuclear family. Their level of education was able to read and write and most of them were married and having children. The results of the study confirmed that diabetes had an effect on the adults' lifestyle. The study recommended that the number of diabetic centers should be increased in Iraq. Patients with new diagnosis need a special education program in the specialized centre, identification of a nurse specialist and distribution manual of diabetes to every patient