Abstract

FLORA, Marília Costa  and  GAMEIRO, Manuel Gonçalves Henriques. Self-Care of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Knowledge about the Disease. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2016, vol.serIV, n.8, pp.17-26. ISSN 0874-0283.  https://doi.org/10.12707/RIV15024.

Background: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is an increasingly prevalent disease in adolescence. Self-management of diabetes is highly important for adolescents to gain autonomy and to reduce associated risks. Objectives: To identify the knowledge of adolescents with T1DM about the disease and respective care; to analyze the relationship between the knowledge of adolescents with T1DM about the disease and respective care and age and gender. Methodology: Descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study. The sample was composed of a total of 51 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years being followed-up in diabetes consultations in the center region of Portugal. A knowledge test was applied. Results: Although most adolescents had a good level of overall knowledge about diabetes and in 3 of the 5 dimensions, the study revealed some misconceptions, as well as adolescents with a low level of knowledge. Positive correlations were found between the adolescents' knowledge and age. Conclusion: It is important to correct misconceptions and identify the adolescents with insufficient knowledge so as to provide a more targeted intervention.

Keywords : adolescent; type 1 diabetes mellitus; self-care; autonomy; nursing.

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