Diabetes empowerment, medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther 2012 Jul;14(7):630-4
Date
04/25/2012Pubmed ID
22524548Pubmed Central ID
PMC3389377DOI
10.1089/dia.2011.0287Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84863800947 80 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that empowerment is an important factor to address everyday aspects of dealing with a chronic disease. This study evaluated the effect of diabetes empowerment on medication adherence and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data on 378 subjects with type 2 diabetes recruited from two primary care clinics in the southeastern United States were examined. Previously validated scales were used to measure diabetes empowerment, medication adherence, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes self-care behaviors (including diet, physical activity, blood sugar testing, and foot care). Multiple linear regression was used to assess the independent effect of diabetes empowerment on medication adherence and self-care behaviors controlling for relevant covariates.
RESULTS: Eighty-three percent were non-Hispanic blacks, 69% were women, 22% were 65 years or older, 68% were not married, 26% had less than high school education, 60% were unemployed, 39% were uninsured, and 47% had a yearly income <$10,000. Empowerment had significant correlations with medication adherence (r=0.17, P<0.003), diabetes knowledge (r=0.16, P=0.007), diet (r=0.24, P<0.001), exercise (r=0.25, P<0.001), blood sugar testing (r=0.12, P=0.043), and foot care (r=0.18, P=0.002). In the regression model, diabetes empowerment was significantly associated with medication adherence (β=-0.04, P=0.001), diabetes knowledge (β=0.09, P=0.012), diet (β=0.09, P<0.001), exercise (β=0.10, P<0.001), blood sugar testing (β=0.07, P=0.016), and foot care (β=0.08, P=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, diabetes empowerment was related to better diabetes knowledge, medication adherence and improved self-care behaviors. Emphasis on empowerment and self-efficacy is relevant to improve outcomes in the management of diabetes.
Author List
Hernandez-Tejada MA, Campbell JA, Walker RJ, Smalls BL, Davis KS, Egede LEAuthors
Jennifer Annette Campbell PhD, MPH Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinLeonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rebekah Walker PhD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Blood Glucose Self-MonitoringDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Diet
Exercise
Female
Health Behavior
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Hypoglycemic Agents
Male
Medication Adherence
Self Care
Smoking
