Research Article Open Access

Factors Related to the Stages of Change in Health Behaviour of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the factors associated with the stages of change in health behaviour, based on the Trans theoretical model, associated with type 1 diabetes (DM1), among adolescents

Background: The adherence to the treatment of DM1 during childhood and adolescence is a challenge that affects diagnosed individuals and their caregivers.

Design: Transversal study, supported by the Trans theoretical model, developed inside a paediatric ambulatory in Brazil with 97 adolescents. The measurements were a social demographic and clinical survey about Diabetes Self-Care Activities. The following tests were used for the analysis: Chi-square, Likelihood ratio, Kruskal Wallis and Spearman’s correlation.

Results: Most were female, in intermediate adolescence, with a diagnostic time of 1 to 3 years and from families with high socioeconomic vulnerability. About the Trans theoretical model, more than 50% were found in the maintenance of daily activities: feeding, glycaemic control and insulin therapy, differently from the physical activity, where only 37.1% were in this phase. One verifies a large number of adolescents in inadequate glycaemic control, with values of gyrated haemoglobin outside the established target.

Conclusion: Nursing must promote the adolescent’s holistic care, transcending the teaching of the glycaemic self-monitoring and application of insulin, and favouring the empowerment in their health care. Relevance to clinical practice: For research and practice in nursing, the study has proven to be possible in an ambulatory care service for diabetes. The nurse, as a member of the health team uses theoretical references that support his/her practice, thus stimulating the self-care along with the adolescent. Moreover, direct costs with the worsening of diabetes may be decreased and this can directly influence the management of health care

Clarice da Silva Neves^1*,Fabiane do Amaral Gubert², Valter Cordeiro Barbosa Filho³, Mariana Cavalcante Martins⁴, Ryvanne Paulino Rocha⁴, Jessica Lima Benevides⁴, Paulo César de Almeida⁴, Neiva Francenely Cunha Vieira⁴, Marcela Ariadne Braga Gomes Tomé4, André Ribeiro de Castro Júnior⁴

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