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 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 103 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 LEMESH 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
