Knowledge, attitudes and practices of young persons with Diabetes and their caregivers in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

In the Caribbean diabetes is a leading cause of chronic ill health. It is rated between the fourth and fifth cause of mortality. The prevalence and incidence continue to rise. Insulin Dependent Diabetes (IDDM) is not as prevalent as non insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) but the mortality risk of IDDM is higher than of NIDDM. The quantitative cross sectional study was conducted from February to April 1998 to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of young persons with diabetes, and their caregivers. The data was collected by telephone survey which were used as interviews to 27 young diabetics and 27 caregivers. Respondents were members of the Junior Diabetes Association and Camp Yellow Bird, as well as out-patients of the University Hospital and Bustamante Hospital for Children. The survey showed that the majority of caregivers and young diabetics had fairly good knowledge, attitudes and practices. The scores ranged from 51 percent for young diabetics to 70.3 percent for caregivers. The majority of young diabetics and their caregivers were concerned about the future of young diabetics. There were some areas which needed strengthening, such as education of self monitioring of blood glucose, insulin administration and the problems often seen as young diabetics (AU)