Differences In Self-care Research Articles

Application of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire in Evaluating the Self-Care of People with Diabetes

Objectives: This uncontrolled open study aimed to measure the levels of self-care of patients before and after education, their initial knowledge, and their knowledge two months after interacting with healthcare providers using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire. Methods: The data for this study were collected over 14 months from 396 patients with diabetes. This study was conducted in three phases: initial questionnaire testing, education, and retesting after two months. The education included specific diabetes-related topics: nutrition, exercise, self-monitoring of blood glucose, foot care, and smoking. Results: The results showed that all self-care activities between the first and second assessments were different. The initial assessment showed that the more successful the general diet, the specific diet, and physical activity were, the better the hemoglobin A1c value was. When considering the impact of gender on self-care effectiveness results, it was noted that women were more successful in foot care and specific diet in the initial testing, while men excelled in physical activity. The most successful age group in the scales of general diet, physical activity, and blood glucose testing was 31–45 years. Those with type 1 diabetes (36% of the study population) were more successful in self-care in the first and second measurements but without any differences in self-care in the retesting. Conclusions: our study observed a difference in self-care results between the two measurements of self-care activities in patients with diabetes, evaluated by the SDSCA questionnaire.

Distinction of mental health between salesman and R&D in high-tech enterprise: a fNIRS study

Employees in enterprises face numerous challenges due to the severe employment situation and job pressure. Sales personnel and research and development (R&D) personnel in companies are particularly susceptible to mental health issues due to the unique nature and complexity of their work. This study aims to explore the psychological health issues among sales personnel and R&D personnel in high-tech enterprises. Twenty-four R&D personnel (23 males and 1 female) and twenty-six sales personnel (25 males and 1 female) were recruited. The participants’ psychological health conditions were assessed using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and verbal fluency tasks combined with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (VFT-fNIRS), while their work stress level was evaluated using the Personal Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and Personal Resources Questionnaire (PRQ). The results indicated significantly higher brain activities in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and bilateral Broca’s areas of the R&D group compared to the sales group. The R&D group had significantly lower scores in the total score and multiple dimensions of SCL-90, such as somatization, obsession-compulsion, depression, anxiety, hostility, and paranoia. In addition, the R&D group exhibited significantly lower psychological and physical tension reactions compared to the sales group in PSQ. Based on the PRQ, the R&D group obtained significantly higher scores in self-care compared to the sales group. In conclusion, the mental health status of the R&D group is better than that of the sales group, the difference in self-care may be the most important factor leading to the difference in work stress and mental health of the two groups, VFT-fNIRS might be used to assist in detecting the mental health status of employees.

Influence of Neighborhood Disadvantage and Individual Sociodemographic Conditions on Heart Failure Self-care.

Residence in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods and individual sociodemographic conditions contribute to worse heart failure (HF) outcomes and may influence HF self-care. However, associations between neighborhood disadvantage, socioeconomic conditions, and HF self-care are unclear. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to investigate whether neighborhood disadvantage and individual socioeconomic conditions predicted worse HF self-care. This study was a secondary analysis of baseline data from a mixed-method study of 82 adults with HF. Participant zip codes were assigned a degree of neighborhood disadvantage using the Area Deprivation Index. Those in the top 20% most disadvantaged neighborhoods (Area Deprivation Index ≥ 80) were compared with those in the least disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index was used to measure self-care maintenance and monitoring. Multiple linear regression was conducted. Of all participants, 59.8% were male, 59.8% were persons of color, and the mean age was 64.87 years. Residing in a disadvantaged neighborhood and living alone predicted worse HF self-care maintenance and monitoring. Having no college education was also a predictor of worse HF self-care maintenance. Although persons of color were more likely to reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods, race was not associated with HF self-care. Residing in a disadvantaged neighborhood and living alone may be important risk factors for worse HF self-care. Differences in self-care cannot be attributed solely to the individual sociodemographic determinants of race, gender, age, annual household income, or marital status. More research is needed to understand the connection between neighborhood disadvantage and HF self-care.

Self-care and hand function in preschool children with unilateral or bilateral cerebral palsy: A cross-sectional study.

To describe self-care capabilities among children with cerebral palsy (CP) and explore associations between self-care and hand function for children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) and children with bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP) separately. Cross-sectional data on self-care capabilities (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, PEDI), manual abilities (Manual Ability Classification System, MACS) and hand use during bimanual performance (Assisting Hand Assessment, AHA; Both Hands Assessment, BoHA) were retrieved from the Norwegian Quality and Surveillance Registry for Cerebral Palsy (NorCP). Eighty-seven children with CP (UCP, n = 61, mean age 4 years 1month, SD 1 year 3 months, range 56) or BCP (n = 26, mean age 4 years 4 months, SD 1 year, range 41), classified at MACS level I (n = 26), II (n = 40) or III (n =21), were included. No significant differences in self-care capabilities were found between children with UCP and children with BCP. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in self-care between MACS levels for the whole group. No significant differences in self-care between MACS levels were observed for children with UCP (p = 0.36), but significant differences were found for those with BCP (p < 0.001). Whereas a small correlation (r = 0.3) between PEDI and AHA scores was found for children with UCP, a large correlation (r = 0.6) was found for those with BCP. Children with BCP with symmetric hand use during bimanual performance (BoHA) had higher PEDI scores than children with asymmetric hand use. Though children with UCP and children with BCP who were classified at MACS I-III exhibited similar self-care capabilities, the limited hand use seems to contribute differently between the two groups. The two different measures of hand use exhibit different associations with self-care capabilities for young children with UCP and BCP, respectively, and illustrate the need to treat UCP and BCP as two distinct groups, each requiring tailored interventions according to their specific needs.

The Education Effect of AADE7TM Model on Self-Care Activities in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to a lack or ineffective use of the hormone insulin. If not treated properly, it will result in complications, even amputation and death. However, many patients still do not understand their disease, lack motivation, and have poor self-care activities. Therefore, it is important to provide education on the AADE7TM model, namely 7 tips for self-care habits, which have become a trademark of AADE, an organization consisting of multidisciplinary health professionals who are experts in diabetes education and diabetes self-care management. An organization comprises multidisciplinary health professionals who are experts in diabetes education and diabetes self-care management. The Seven tips include (1) eating healthy, (2) being active, (3) monitoring, (4) taking medication, (5) problem solving, (6) healthy coping, and (7) reducing risks so that there will be increased self-care activities. Objective to determine the effect of AADE7TM model education on self-care activities in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Research methods: Quantitative research type with quasi-experiment method, nonrandomized control group pre-test and post-test design. With purposive sampling on 30 patients, 15 patients in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. The experimental group was given AADE7TM model education, and the control group received conventional education. Data analysis techniques t-test. There was a difference in mean self-care in the experimental group in the pre-test, with a score of 19,800, and in the post-test, 33,066, with a p-value of 0.001.There was no difference in mean self-care in the control group at the initial and final measurements, with a p-value of 0.060. There was a difference in self-care activities after the AADE7TM model education in the experimental group compared to the final measurement in the control group, with a p-value of 0.001.Conclusion: there was an influence of AADE7TM model education on self-care activities in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Keywords: AADE7TM, self-care activities, diabetes mellitus.

Self-care and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): a literature review in sex-related differences.

Background and aim of the work.Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial disease, and it is considered a worldwide challenge for its increasing prevalence and its negative impact on patients’ wellbeing. Even if it is known that self-care is a key factor in reaching optimal outcomes, and males and females implement different self-care behaviors, sex-related differences in self-care of patients with T2DM have been poorly investigated. Especially, an overall view of the available evidence has not yet been done. Accordingly, this review aims to summarize, critically review, and interpret the available evidence related to the sex-related differences in self-care behaviors of patients with T2DM.Methods.An extensive literature review was performed with a narrative synthesis following the PRISMA statement and flowchart through four databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase.Results.From the 5776 identified records by the queries, only 29 articles were included, having a high-quality evaluation. Both females and males with T2DM must improve their self-care: more males reported performing better behaviors aimed at maintaining health and clinical stability (i.e., self-care maintenance) than females, but mainly in relation to physical activity. On the other hand, more females reported performing adequate behaviors aimed at monitoring their signs and symptoms (i.e., self-care monitoring) but with worse glycemic control and diabetic complications (i.e., self-care management).Conclusions.This review firstly provides an overall view of different self-care behaviors implemented by males and females with T2DM, showing that self-care management should be improved in both sexes. Health education must include the problems related to the diabetic pathology and the patient’s own characteristics, such as sex. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Gender-Specific Differences in Self-Care, Treatment-Related Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients

Gender and sex differences affect women with kidney failure (KF) negatively at all stages of the disease. This study assessed gender differences in self-care, hemodialysis symptoms, and quality of life in a sample of 102 adult KF patients treated with hemodialysis, from two clinical centers in Mexico. Self-care agency, quality of life, and the symptoms related to hemodialysis were evaluated through questionnaires, and sociodemographic and laboratory variables were obtained from the clinical records. Compared to male patients, female patients reported similar self-care, lower quality of life subscales (symptoms, physical functioning, pain, and overall health), and higher prevalence and intensity of hemodialysis symptoms. There were gender differences regarding the correlation between self-care and quality of life, symptoms intensity, and symptoms prevalence. In conclusion, women with KF treated with hemodialysis perceived a higher impact of hemodialysis and reported a lower quality of life than men. Despite having a similar self-care agency, the self-care correlations with quality of life and hemodialysis symptoms appeared different between men and women treated with chronic hemodialysis. Such differences may be important in future nursing interventions to improve self-care and quality of life among KF patients.

4-OR: Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Self-Care in Young Adults (YA) with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Background: Racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes self-care among YA with T1D may contribute to worse outcomes. We conducted a secondary data analysis of the Young Adult Racial Disparities in Type 1 Diabetes (YARDD) study to determine racial-ethnic differences in self-care and contributory factors. Methods: The YARDD study recruited a diverse cohort of YA with T1D aged 18-28 years from six diabetes centers across the U.S. and collected cross-sectional information on sociodemographics, social determinants of health, clinical factors, psychosocial variables, and diabetes self-care. We performed multivariable linear regression to examine the association of race/ethnicity with a measure of diabetes self-care (Self-Care Inventory Revised (SCI-R)), and related factors. Results: We included 299 YA with T1D: median age 20 years (IQR 19-22); 55% female (n=162); 33% each non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic. Compared with White YA, Black YA reported slightly lower SCI scores (B= -6.81/100, P=0.006), while Hispanic YA reported similar scores (B=-1.33/100, P=0.58). In multivariate analyses, race/ethnicity accounted for little variability in SCI score (adjusted R-squared=0.02), while age, sex and diabetes distress explained significant variability (adjusted R-squared=0.24). Diabetes distress scores on the Diabetes Distress Scale were slightly higher in Black YA than Hispanic or White YA (B= 0.38/6.0, P=0.01). Discussion: In this large national study of YA with T1D, race/ethnicity was not independently associated with differences in diabetes self-care after accounting for demographic, social determinant, psychosocial, and clinical factors. However, diabetes distress was slightly higher among Black YA with T1D and had a strong association with diabetes self-care, providing a potential race-specific target for intervention. Disclosure R. Sadiq: None. M. Fazzari: None. S. Nahvi: Research Support; Self; Pfizer Inc. C. Cunningham: Employee; Spouse/Partner; GE Healthcare, Stock/Shareholder; Spouse/Partner; GE Healthcare. S. Agarwal: None. Funding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K23DK115869); National Center for Advancing Translational Science (UL1TR002556)

Self-Care in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Urgency Lower Limb Amputation: The Influence of Sex, Marital Status and Previous Amputations.

AimLower limb amputation (LLA) is a severe consequence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and can affect up to 1% of T2DM patients, leading to an increased risk of premature mortality. Among the factors to predict LLA, it has been highlighted sex, marital status, and previous amputation. However, there is a lack of information about the association between these predictive factors, self-care, and urgency LLA in T2DM patients.PurposeTo verify the behavior of self-care and to relate it with the predictive factors (sex, marital status, and previous amputation) in urgency LLA T2DM patients.Patients and MethodsNon-interventional study, with 106 T2DM patients who were in the postoperative period of urgency LLA caused by complications resulting from T2DM. A structured questionnaire was used for sociodemographic and clinical characterization of the sample as well as the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) tool. It was used the Wilcoxon, Friedman, and Mann–Whitney tests (median, nonparametric populations) to assess the significance of the differences between groups (sex, marital status, and previous amputation), also Spearman correlation coefficient to assess the association between the data (comparison between diagnostic time, sex, previous amputation, ethnicity and systolic arterial hypertension) and a logistic regression analysis considering the item SDSCA related to sex, age and marital status (with partner).ResultsSignificant differences (p<0.05) in the questions “Specific Food” and “Foot care” were found when the participants were grouped by sex. In the relation to marital status, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for the question “Specific Food”. No differences were found between groups with or without previous amputation.ConclusionBy SDSCA tool, we were able to report that T2DM patients submitted to urgency LLA presented differences in self-care, particularly for sex and marital status.

Abstract 13892: Self-care is Poor in Lay Caregivers of Patients With Heart Failure, Especially If Caring More Than Eight Hours Daily

Introduction: Most patients with HF are living at home with care provided to them by loved ones. Informal caregiving is demanding and stressful, may exceed the caregiver’s ability to adapt, and many eventually become care recipients themselves. Engaging in self-care may improve caregivers’ health. Purpose: To describe the self-care behaviors of HF caregivers and compare self-care behaviors based on hours of daily caregiving. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we analyzed enrollment data from lay caregivers in the iCare4Me clinical trial testing the efficacy of a virtual support intervention promoting caregiver self-care. All caregivers were providing informal care to someone with HF for ≥ 8 hours/week. Self-care behaviors were measured with two instruments: Health Self-Care Neglect scale (9 dichotomous items summed for a final score) and the Self-Care Inventory (3 scales: Self-Care Maintenance, Monitoring, and Management with standardized scores 0-100; higher scores, better self-care). A Health Self-Care Neglect score ≥ 2 is considered poor self-care. A Self-Care inventory score &lt; 70 is considered inadequate. Hours of caregiving were self-reported. Results: The sample (n=40) was mostly older adults (56 ± 13.2 years, female 97.5%) and many were Black (37.5%). Caregivers reported caregiving (10.8± 8.4 hours/day, range 1-24 hours/day). Differences in self-care were observed between those caregiving &gt; 8 hours (n=18, 18.4 ± 6.6) vs. ≤ 8 hours/day (n=22, 4.6± 2.6). Mean Health Self-Care Neglect was higher in caregivers reporting ≥ 8 hours/day compared to &lt; 8 hours (6.7 ± 2.0 vs. 4.9 ± 2.1, p=0.004). The most commonly neglected areas of self-care were “Put off recreational activities you enjoy” and “Taken medications improperly”. All Self-Care Inventory scale scores were inadequate (Maintenance 69.1 ± 17.1, Monitoring 63.7 ± 21.8, Management 58.2 ± 18.9). Those providing care for ≥ 8 hours/day reported significantly poorer Self-Care Maintenance (64.1 ± 11.7 vs. 73.9 ± 19.4, p=0.03). Conclusion: Self-care is poor in all the caregivers, but especially among those responsible for caregiving relatively more hours/day. Interventions to improve caregivers’ self-care are needed.

Gender differences in self-care for common colds by primary care patients: a European multicenter survey on the prevalence and patterns of practices (the COCO study)

ABSTRACT Although generally harmless, the common cold disturbs the lives of billions yearly. It is frequently treated by self-care, yet little is known about the effect gender may have on self-care. Our study set out to discover whether self-care for common colds differs by gender. We also wanted to test the ‘Man cold’ belief: that men ‘break down’ when they have a cold and suffer more than women when they are sick. We distributed questionnaires asking for a selection of self-care practices in eight categories to 3,240 consecutive patients in 14 Eurasian countries at 27 primary care sites. Of 2,654 patients included, 99% reported engaging in self-care for common colds. Discomfort was reported more frequently by women (74.7% vs. 66.5%, p < 0.001). There were gender differences in several self-care categories. The mean use of self-care items was higher in women than in men (12.0 vs. 10.3, p < 0.001). Women reported a greater variety of self-care items than men. However, more men reported using alcohol (17.8% vs. 8.4%, p < 0.001). This cross-national study documented gender differences in self-care for common colds.

Influences of Race and Sex on Self-Care for Persons with Heart Failure and Diabetes

Introduction Persons with both diabetes (DM) and heart failure (HF) have complex self-care. Self-efficacy and knowledge influence a patient's ability to manage these chronic conditions. In other populations, differences between race and gender have been reported in areas of disease specific knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-care. Greater understanding of differences by race and gender is significant for improving HF-DM self-care and quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was to examine HF-DM knowledge, self-care, efficacy, and QOL in racial groups (White, Black) and by sex (men/women) in order to inform culturally congruent care. Hypothesis There are differences in self-care and antecedents of self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcomes of QOL by race and sex. Methods In a secondary analysis, baseline data were examined from 134 persons with HF-DM participating in a trial to improve co-morbid self-care. Participants were 69% Black, and 66% men. Mean age was 57.4 ± 10.6 years. Variables and measures included demographics, clinical factors (HF severity, years with HF, and DM), HF knowledge (AHFKQ), social support (ESSI), self-care efficacy and behavior (SCHFI); HF and DM QOL (MLWHF, ADDQOL), and health status (EQVAS). DM variables were self-care (SCSDA), knowledge (MDKT), and self-efficacy (PDSMS). Group comparison tests were performed using chi squares, t-tests, and non-parametric Mann Whitney tests. Results Black participants had higher body mass index (BMI) (p=.04), higher PDSMS (p=.009) and SCSDA foot care scores (p=.04), and lower MDKT (p=.001), ESSI (p=.05), and ADDQOL scores (p=.03) than white participants. Men were diagnosed with HF longer than DM (p=.02), had higher EQVAS (p=.006) and lower SCHFI confidence (p=.05) and foot care scores (p=.005). Women had lower severity of HF (p=.006) and had lived with HF longer than men (p=.02). Conclusions Results revealed differences in self-care, self-care antecedents, and QOL by race and sex. Implications include HF-DM education and social support interventions to improve overall QOL and self-care in Blacks. More focus on DM self-efficacy and foot care is warranted for men, as well as greater attention to longer term HF symptoms and QOL for women. Culturally relevant care and sex-based interventions are needed to address self-care needs for those with co-morbid conditions.

Assessing the Impact of Telenursing on Self-Care in Hemodialysis Patients: A Clinical Trial Study

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term process, which cannot be sufficiently effective without the patient’s own involvement and self-care activities. Objectives: The aim of this study was to disclose the effect of telenursing on self-care behaviors of patients undergoing hemodialysis at Ali Ibn Abitalib Hospital, affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. Methods: In this clinical trial, 80 HD patients were chosen via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and an 18-item scale assessing HD patients’ self-care behaviors. The experimental group received a 12-week training program, which was held twice a week (each lasting 15 minutes). Follow-up was performed through phone calls during this period. On the other hand, the control group received only routine hospital instructions. The self-care questionnaire was completed before and 12 weeks after the intervention. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS-22 using chi-square test, independent t-test, paired t-test, and ANCOVA. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 80 subjects completed the study. Except for age, the two groups were not significantly different in terms of demographic variables. The mean score of self-care before the intervention was 24.40 ± 14.73 in the experimental group and 19.45 ± 14.11 in the control group. After the intervention, this score changed to 48.65 ± 9.19 in the experimental group and 20.40 ± 13.46 in the control group, suggesting a significant difference in self-care between the two groups. Conclusions: Telenursing promotes self-care in HD patients. Thanks to the availability of telephone and the low cost of training for this method, health authorities/policymakers and nurses can deploy telenursing to cultivate self-care behaviors in these patients.

Sex-related differences in self-care behaviors of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

To describe sex-related differences in self-care; to identify determinants of self-care according to sex, and to investigate how sex interacts with the effect of clinical and socio-demographic variables on self-care in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Cross-sectional multicentre study with a consecutive sampling recruitment strategy, enrolling 540 adults with T2DM at six outpatient diabetes services. Clinical and socio-demographic variables were collected by medical records. Self-care maintenance, monitoring, management, and confidence were measured by the self-care of diabetes inventory. Females reported higher disease prevention behaviors (P < 0.001), health-promoting behaviors (P < 0.001), body listening (P < 0.001), and symptom recognition (P = 0.010), but lower health-promoting exercise behaviors (P < 0.001). Determinants of self-care were different in male and female patients, where the role of task-specific self-care confidence predicted self-care monitoring (RR = 0.98; P < 0.001) and management (RR = 0.99; P < 0.001) among males, while persistence self-care confidence predicted self-care maintenance (RR = 0.97; P = 0.016) and management (RR = 0.99; P = 0.009) among females. Males and females differently perform self-care. Self-care confidence plays a different role predicting self-care behaviors in males and females. Future research should longitudinally describe self-care and its determinants in males and females with T2DM. Sex-specific self-care confidence interventions should be developed to improve self-care in male and female patients with T2DM.

Gender differences in self care in type 2 diabetes in rural Kerala

Background: Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) were estimated to have contributed to almost 60% of deaths in the world and 43% of the global burden of disease in 1999. NCDs are rapidly becoming a major public health threat in the developing world. The W.H.O fact file on NCDs states that healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight (self-care) are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes or its complications. Thus, self-care in diabetes is the corner stone in achieving good glycemic control, thereby preventing the onset of diabetes complications which increases the morbidity and mortality of the disease. This study was undertaken to understand the effect of self-care on HbA1C (blood sugar control) among males and females with Type -2 diabetes in a rural population in Kerala. The study tries to draw out the differences in self-care among males and females taking into consideration the patriarchal nature of the society and to understand the gender differences in approaches to self-care. Sex- based differences should be considered when developing awareness and treatment programs for people with diabetes, more precisely in NCD preventive measures specifically for the Indian subcontinent.&#x0D; Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a stratified random sample of diabetes patients belonging to the three religious groups found in the study area, in a diabetes treatment center in Kanjirapally taluk of Kottayam district. Based on pilot study, a sample of 300 is chosen with 138 males and 162 females. For part 1 of the questionnaire, demographic details were entered by the researcher and the medical records were accessed to record the relevant details like height, weight, A1C, B.M.I., F.B.S. and chronic conditions of the patients. The selfcare activity of the patients were assessed with the SDSCAS (Summary of diabetes self-care activity scale). It&#x0D; consists a core set of 12 questions to assess the dietary habits, exercise regimen, blood sugar testing, foot care and smoking status for the past 7 days. &#x0D; Results: Since the representative sample is not made of equal number of males and females, comparison of blood sugar control (HbA1C) based on self-care activities for males and females were calculated. The independent sample t-test is highly significant at 0.01 level with respect to general diet, specific diet, dietary adherence and podiatric care. The t-test again shows significance at 0.05 level with respect to physical activities on comparison. &#x0D; Conclusions: The self-care activities varied greatly between males and females. The self-care activities of the females were very poor when compared with the males. The poor self-care activities of the females could be attributed to behaviour conditioned by gender relations prevalent in the society. Women seem to assimilate or internalize the patriarchal subjectivity of the society. But this is a feature of most households not only in the study area but of the country as a whole. This gender difference in self-care can be annihilated by stringent awareness and health education campaigns. NCD prevention strategies should include gender sensitive health promotion measures to achieve the WHO Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD Action Plan).

Self-Care Practices of Self-Identified Social Workers: Findings from a National Study.

Self-care can be an important tool in assuaging professional burnout, workplace stress, vicarious or secondary trauma, and other deleterious employment circumstances. Despite this importance, few studies have examined self-care among social work practitioners. This exploratory study examined the self-care practices of self-identified social workers (N = 2,934) throughout the United States. Primary data were collected with an electronic survey. Data indicate that social workers in the sample engage in moderate self-care practices. Analyses revealed group differences in self-care by several variables including geographic locale of participants' primary place of employment, race, educational level, and social work licensing status, among others. Significant predictors of self-care included perceived health status (self-report), education level, being a supervisor, and financial status. Overall, findings from this study indicate the need for a systemic response to improving self-care practices among social workers.

Exploring the self-care practices of social workers in Poland

ABSTRACT This study examines the self-care practices of individuals employed as social workers in Poland (N = 250). Whilst personal self-care practices occurred slightly more frequently than did professional self-care practices, overall results indicate that participants only engaged in moderate amounts of self-care. Findings revealed significant differences in self-care by education level and self-reported health status, respectively. Only health status significantly predicted overall self-care. This study indicates the need for more attention to self-care. After a brief review literature, this paper will explicate findings and discuss salient implications derived from this study. This paper concludes by identifying apposite areas for future research.

Distinct Factors Associated With Better Self-care in Heart Failure Patients With and Without Mild Cognitive Impairment.

A decline in cognition may limit patients' ability to effectively engage in self-care in those with heart failure (HF). However, several studies have shown no difference in self-care between HF patients with and without cognitive impairment. This may indicate that there are more salient factors associated with self-care in HF patients with cognitive impairment compared with those without cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to explore which factors are related to self-care based on the presence and absence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among patients with HF. Patients with HF were recruited from outpatient settings. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to screen for MCI. Self-care was measured with the Self-care of HF Index v.6.2. Two separate stepwise linear regressions were performed to identify which factors (HF knowledge, perceived control, functional status, multimorbidity, executive function, and social support) predicted self-care in HF patients with and without MCI. Of the 132 patients in this study, 36 (27.3%) had MCI. Self-care maintenance and management were associated with social support (β = 0.489) and executive function (β = 0.484), respectively, in patients with MCI. Perceived control was associated with both self-care maintenance and management in patients without MCI (βs = 0.404 and 0.262, respectively). We found that social support and executive function were associated with self-care in HF patients with MCI, whereas perceived control was associated with self-care in HF patients with intact cognition. Clinicians should develop tailored interventions to enhance self-care by considering the distinct factors associated with self-care based on the presence or absence of MCI.

Self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes: Education intervention base on social cognitive theory

AimThis study aimed to determine the effect of education intervention, based on social cognitive theory, on self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes. MethodsThis study was conducted in descriptive and interventional stages. The effective factors and constructs of social cognitive theory were identified in a descriptive study (n = 320). After that, a quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of intervention on 120 diabetic patients whom were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The educational intervention was implemented in six 40 -minute sessions for the experimental group. The questionnaires were completed before, immediately after and three months after the intervention. ResultsThe results of regression showed that emotional adaptation (P < 0.05), self-efficacy to overcome barriers (P < 0.05) and self-regulation (P < 0.05) could predict self-care. There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups before the educational intervention, however, after the intervention, there was a significant difference in self-care (p < 0.001), knowledge (p < 0.001), outcome expectations (p < 0.001), outcome value (p < 0.001), self-efficacy (p < 0.001), self-efficacy to overcome barriers(P < 0.001) p), environment (p < 0.001), observational learning (P < 0.05), situational perception (p < 0.001), self-regulation (p < 0.001) and emotional adaptation (p < 0.001)) in the intervention group. ConclusionThe results of this study showed that intervention, based on social cognitive model, has a positive effect on diabetes self-care in the patients. Emotional adaptation, self-efficacy to overcome barriers and self-regulation have the biggest impact on diabetes self-care.

A Study Using Visual Art Methods to Explore the Perceptions and Barriers of Self-Management in Children and Adolescents with Lymphedema.

Background: The aims of this study were to explore, using visual art methodology, how children and adolescents perceive their lymphedema and conceptualize the barriers and enablers in self-management and to explore the role of an educational camp in promoting self-efficacy.Methods: Participants (speaking English, French, and Italian) were recruited during an educational camp for children with lymphedema. Children and adolescents used different methodologies to depict living and self-managing their condition. Younger children (aged 5–12 years) drew pictures, and all children and adolescents (aged 5–18 years) were given cameras and asked to take photographs that depicted their experience of learning self-management of their condition during the camp. Rose's critical visual methodology framework was used for analysis.Results: Analysis of the data produced five categories: Normal versus altered childhood, living with lymphedema; perceptions of lymphedema and self-care in younger children; adolescents' perception of living and managing lymphedema; learning self-efficacy; and insights into cultural differences in self-care.Conclusions: The study has shown that self-management is complex. Children and adolescents face many daily challenges and frustrations in managing their condition in addition to the normal challenges of development and growth that impact on: home life, time with friends, school activities, and relationships. Children expressed a deep longing for cure and a recognition that their lives were altered by having the condition that led to limitations in sport and wearing fashionable clothes and shoes. The importance of relationships with professionals was critical as was the experience of meeting and learning with other children through the camp experience. Attempts to simplify self-management techniques would appear to be a key priority as would a greater understanding of the self-beliefs young people have of their ability to influence and control their condition and its impact on their life.