Perceived Self-care Behaviors and Control of Blood Glucose Level among Children with Diabetes

Objectives: Assess frequency of factors that children with diabetes perceive as barriers to self-care behaviors (diet, exercise, insulin injection and glucose monitoring). A secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between adherence to self-care behaviors and blood glucose levels. Methods: Cross-sectional, correlation study of children with diabetes attending a Hurley Medical Center diabetic clinic. A survey designed by Glasgow, et al (1984) was used to collect the data (1). Results: Results indicated perceived barriers to self-care behaviors related to diet and exercise. Females were more likely than males to report that a perceived barrier to self care was realizing it was time to have an afternoon snack when in the middle of an activity with friends (p=0.02). Caucasians were more likely than African Americans to report barriers to self care related to diet, exercise, insulin injection and glucose monitoring (p=0.04). African Americans were more likely than any other group to report that regulation of exercise due to school or work commitments was a significant barrier to self-care behavior (p=0.005). No relationship was found between self-care behaviors and blood glucose level. There was also no relationship between self-care behaviors and high blood glucose level. Conclusion: Health belief model theory (2,3) was used to evaluate an individual’s self-perception of barriers to self-care behaviors. Health belief model theory can also be correlated in the future with other constructs of health belief to achieve a better understanding of self-care behaviors and compliance with these behaviors. The relationship between blood glucose levels and self-care behaviors also needs to be investigated to determine if the relationship can be manipulated to achieve better control of diabetes.Master'sSchool of Health Professions and Studies: Health EducationUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117905/1/Abdoelrahman.pd