Level Of 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.

Resilience and Self-Care in Patients with Heart Failure: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: A key component of managing heart failure, self-care can significantly affect patient outcomes. Patients may find the constant and intricate demands of self-care stressful, and they may need to show resilience to manage their symptoms. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify resilience and self-care among patients with heart failure. Methodology: The design of the present study was cross-sectional. The research population consisted of heart failure patients visiting the cardiac hospitals and admitted to the cardiac ward. A convenience sampling method was used to select 200 patients with heart failure. The data were collected from April 6th, 2023 to June 29th, 2023 about the participants’ demographic variables, Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI V6.2 English), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, standard deviation, mean score) for the demographic variables. To assess reliability, Cronbach’s alpha was used. Results: The present study showed that the majority of sample (n=185, 92.5%) had a medium level of self-care in symptom perception (Mean±SD= 28.86±16.32), self-care maintenance (Mean±SD= 34.2±15.63), and self-care management (Mean±SD= 35.52±17.25). The research findings showed a strong negative association between patients' resilience and self-care (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant association between self-care and participants’ marital status (p=0.02). Self-care was greater among those who were married. Conclusion: The present findings showed that patients with heart failure had a moderate level of self-care and resilience. There were associations between resilience and self-care in heart failure patients. The variables that may mediate or affect self-care need to be well-recognized by the research population

Effects of preoperative respiratory muscle training for improvement of postoperative health related quality of life in mitral valve replacement patients.

A patient's defective mitral valve is replaced as part of a treatment called mitral valve replacement (MVR) with a mechanical or biological (bioprosthetic) valve. To evaluate the effects of preoperative respiratory muscle training (RMT) on the improvement of postoperative Health related quality of life in MVR patients. A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology. A Sample of 40 adult patients aged 25-50years of both genders who underwent MVR was selected and divided into two groups Group 1 (Respiratory Muscle Training Group) was received RMT consisting of 10-15 repetitions a day for 5days; for 3weeks. Whereas Group 2 (Conventional Group) was receive breathing exercise consisting of 10-12 repetitions a day for 5days; for 3weeks. Modified Healthy Heart Questionnaire (HHQ-GP-1) was used as screening tool. In outcome measuring tools Health Related Quality of life Questionnaire (EuroQol), New York Heart Association, was used at baseline, 3rd week and postoperatively. Duration of Postoperative Mechanical Ventilation (hours) and Hospital Stay was also noted as outcome measures of this study. Results obtained indicate that level of Self-Care in EuroQol-5-D-5L has improved in group 1 3.35±1.03 to 1.35±0.48 showing significant improvement similarly in case of Hospital Length of Stay, Mechanical ventilation 4.05±0.68 to 5.05±0.51 and Pain 65.25±8.34 to 71.50±6.70 has improved. It was concluded that Respiratory Muscle Training and Conventional Muscle Training both are effective in MVR patients. But RMT is more effective in improving self-care, reducing pain, Hospital Length of Stay and Mechanical Ventilation in postoperative period as compared to Conventional Muscle Treatment.

Psychometric properties of self-report instruments for assessing self-care in patients with oncological diseases: protocol for a COSMIN-based systematic review

Background: The topic of self-care in cancer has garnered increased attention from researchers and clinicians over the years. This has prompted the development and testing of several instruments to capture the multidimensional nature of the self-care construct in cancer patients. Several self-report instruments are available in the literature; however, which instrument exhibits the best reliability and validity remains unclear.Objective: The aim of this protocol is to identify all available instruments developed for measuring self-care behaviors in adult cancer patients and critically appraise their psychometric properties.Methods: This systematic review will follow the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines. PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases will be searched for relevant articles on the topic. Studies testing the psychometric properties of self-report instruments assessing self-care behaviors in adult cancer patients, published in English, Italian, or Spanish, will be included. Two independent reviewers will assess the eligibility of the studies and extract the data. Risk of bias will be evaluated using the COSMIN Risk of Bias Checklist, and the quality of the results will be assessed based on specific COSMIN criteria.Conclusion: A thorough and critical evaluation of all available evidence for instruments measuring self-care in patients with cancer might have both strong clinical and research implications. The results of this review could drive healthcare providers in the selection of the most appropriate assessment tool for detecting and monitoring the self-care levels of this population. On the other hand, the results may underline the necessity of validating new instruments.

Health-related quality of life and self-care in heart failure patients under telecare-insights from the randomized, prospective, controlled AMULET trial.

The growing population of heart failure (HF) patients places a burden on the healthcare system. Patient-centered outcomes such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-care behaviors are key elements of modern HF management programs. Thus, optimized strategies to improve these outcomes are sought. To assess the effects of a new model of medical telecare on HRQoL and self-care in patients with HF (the AMULET study). The study was prospective, randomized, open-label, and controlled with two parallel groups: telecare and standard care. In the telecare group, HF nurses performed patient clinical assessments with telemedical support by a cardiologist and provided education focused on the prevention of HF exacerbation. In the standard care group, patients were followed according to standard practices in the existing healthcare system. At the baseline and at 12 months, HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLwHF). The level of self-care was assessed with the 12-item standardized European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale (EHFScBS-12). In the overall study group, 79% of the subjects were male, the mean age was 67 ± 14 years, and 59% of the subjects were older than 65 years of age. The majority of the subjects (70%) had a left ventricular ejection fraction below 40%. After 12 months, statistically significant increases in physical component of the SF-36 (43.3 vs. 47.4 for telecare vs. 43.4 vs. 46.6 for standard care) and mental component of SF-36 (58.4 vs. 62 for telecare vs. 60.4 vs. 64.2 for standard care) were noted, with no intergroup differences. However, patients receiving telecare showed improvement in specific domains, such as physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health. There was a significant decrease in MLwHF (29 vs. 35.0; lower is better) at follow-up for both groups. Telecare patients had a statistically significant decrease in EHFScBS-12 (lower is better) at 12 months. AMULET outpatient telecare, which is based on nurse-led non-invasive assessments supported by specialist teleconsultations, improved the HRQoL and self-care of HF patients after an episode of acute HF.

Experiences and Health Outcomes of Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Mixed Methods Study.

Emerging adults with type 1 diabetes are at risk of poorer diabetes-related health outcomes than other age groups. Several factors affecting the health and experiences of the emerging adults are culture and healthcare specific. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of emerging adults living with type 1 diabetes in Lebanon, describe their diabetes self-care and diabetes-related health outcomes (HbA1c and diabetes distress), and identify the predictors of these outcomes. A convergent mixed methods design was used with 90 participants aged 18-29 years. Sociodemographic, clinical data, and measures of diabetes distress, social support, and self-care were collected. Fifteen emerging adults participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Multiple linear regression was used to determine predictors of diabetes outcomes. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Data integration was used to present the mixed methods findings. The study sample had a mean HbA1c of 7.7% (SD = 1.36) and 81.1 % reported moderate to severe diabetes distress levels. The participants had good levels of diabetes self-care and high levels of social support. HbA1c was predicted by insulin treatment type, age at diagnosis, and diabetes self-care; while diabetes distress was predicted by diabetes knowledge, blood glucose monitoring approach, and diabetes self-care. "Living with type 1 diabetes during emerging adulthood: the complex balance of a chemical reaction" was the overarching theme of the qualitative data, with three underlying themes: "Breaking of bonds: changes and taking ownership of their diabetes", "The reactants: factors affecting the diabetes experience", and "Aiming for equilibrium". The integrated mixed methods results revealed one divergence between the qualitative and quantitative findings related to the complexity of the effect of received social support. The suboptimal health of the emerging adults despite good self-care highlights the importance of addressing cultural and healthcare specific factors such as diabetes knowledge and public awareness, social support, and availability of technology to improve diabetes health. Findings of this study can guide future research, practice, and policy development.

Exploring menopausal symptoms, attitudes, and behaviors among menopausal women in China: an online research perspective.

The number of perimenopausal women in China is rising, but the population's concept of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is still relatively outdated. In this study, we used the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) theory and collected online questionnaires from 1,100 women aged 40 to 60 years nationwide to find out their menopausal symptom profiles; to learn about their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors toward menopause and MHT; to explore the factors influencing the acceptance of hormone treatments; and to look for better ways to promote the dissemination of menopausal knowledge. The results revealed that among women aged 40 to 60 years, 82.36% experienced possible menopausal symptoms, with hot flushes/sweating, sleep disorders, mood disorders, and fatigue being the most prevalent; 55.90% reported moderate to severe symptoms, but only 46.99% of them sought healthcare services. Among those who sought medical care, 16.00% had their first visit to climacteric clinics/gynecological endocrinology, and 5.66% accepted MHT. Furthermore, 77.82% of participants never heard of MHT or were unaware of its existence. The healthcare-seeking behavior of menopausal women in response to symptoms and their willingness to accept MHT were found to be closely associated with their level of self-care. The prevalence of menopausal symptoms is higher in China than previous research findings, but due to a lack of relevant knowledge, the rate of seeking treatment from the appropriate medical department and accepting MHT is relatively low. Enhancing physicians' knowledge of the menopausal transition and using Internet tools might help improve Chinese women's knowledge of menopause and help them pass through this period smoothly.

Мeans of restorative treatment of children of younger school age sick of bronchial asthma in rehabilitation institutions

Bronchial asthma is a problem of extreme urgency, as morbidity and mortality from it are constantly increasing throughout the civilized world. Among chronic diseases of respiratory organs, pathology occupies a leading place. In different countries, its prevalence varies from 10 to 15%. This is associated with high disability and mortality of patients with BA. Based on the analysis of literary and other sources of information, theoretical material on the use of means of restorative treatment for children of primary school age with bronchial asthma in rehabilitation institutions was studied and selected. Among the diseases of the respiratory system in children, various forms of bronchial asthma occupy a prominent place in the development of children's disability. Morbidity and mortality from it are constantly increasing throughout the civilized world. The article discusses the issues of non-drug treatment of bronchial asthma in children. The relevance of the problem of rehabilitation of children with bronchial asthma is due to the urgent need to facilitate their life and adaptation to the environment, as well as to improve the level of self-care. Accordingly, physical therapy of such children occupies an important place, because it improves their physical condition, contributes to the effective correction of functional insufficiency of the respiratory system, provides training of the cardiovascular system, which leads to better activity of the child in educational activities and adaptation in society. The aim of the study. Theoretical substantiation of the necessity and essence of the use of physical therapy in the complex rehabilitation of children of primary school age, patients with bronchial asthma, in rehabilitation institutions. Research methods. Analytical review of literary and information sources, study of the state of the issue and systematization of modern scientific and methodological knowledge and results of practical experience of leading specialists in physical rehabilitation regarding the issue of rehabilitation of children with bronchial asthma. Literary sources (scientific articles, textbooks, manuals, dissertation research abstracts) are selected from the electronic databases of the National Library of Ukraine named after V.I. Vernadskyi, Web of Science, PubMed and others.

Self-care behaviors, medication adherence status, and associated factors among elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes

Elderly individuals face an increased likelihood of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes. Self-care practices and medication adherence play crucial roles in preventing complications and adverse effects of this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to determine self-care behaviors, medication adherence status, and related factors among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 374 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who visited educational healthcare centers in Qazvin, Iran, during 2023 (March–September). Sampling was performed using the convenience method. Data collection instruments included a demographic characteristics checklist, the summary of diabetes self-care activities questionnaire, and the Morisky medication adherence scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-22 software, employing the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, mean, standard deviation, univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The mean age of participants was 67.56 ± 5.93 years. In the self-care questionnaire, the highest score pertained to adherence to the diet recommended by the treating physician (3.16 ± 1.87). In contrast, the lowest scores were related to the frequency of checking inside shoes (0.17 ± 0.93) and foot examination (0.31 ± 1.07), respectively. Furthermore, results in self-care behaviors indicated that with increasing education levels, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) significantly decreased (P = 0.048). This variable was considerably higher in rural residents than in urban dwellers (P = 0.016). Additionally, the frequency of blood glucose measurements was significantly higher in urban residents than in rural inhabitants (p = 0.006). Based on the results, the mean score for medication adherence among patients was 5.53 ± 1.65. Based on our findings, the level of self-care in physical activity, SMBG, and foot care among the elderly is below average. Furthermore, medication adherence in these patients is poor. We expect that managers and policymakers take steps to reduce complications and improve these two variables by developing educational programs on self-care and emphasizing the importance of treatment adherence for these patients.

Relationship between academic burnout, self-care, and self-medication among Costa Rican university students in health-related sciences

Introduction: burnout is a problem affecting Health Sciences students, potentially leading to an increased tendency towards self-medication. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the relationship between these two variables and self-care. Objective: to determine the relationship between self-care, burnout, and self-medication in university students majoring in Health related Sciences. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted through convenience sampling via virtual means throughout the entire month of October 2023, creating a database for this purpose. The study population consisted of university students enrolled in health-related sciences in Costa Rica. A sample of 361 participants was obtained from both a public and a private university, with ages ranging from 18 to 46 years (M= 23.61, SD= 5.30). The questionnaire was composed of the Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale (α=.89), the Maslach Academic Burnout Inventory (α between .82 and .88) and a set of sociodemographic questions. Results: self-care showed negative correlations with exhaustion, cynicism, and the frequency of self-medication, while displaying positive associations with academic efficacy and age. Additionally, progressing within the curriculum and living alone or with housemates were linked to higher levels of exhaustion compared to those living with a partner or nuclear family. Conclusions: higher levels of self-care in health-related students were associated with lower levels of academic burnout and a reduced frequency of self-medication. Moreover, students living with close individuals exhibited significantly lower levels of exhaustion.

Stress Coping Framework As an Effort To Improve Quality of Life Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Literature Review

ABSTRACT COPD patients usually experience a decrease in quality of life due to COPD symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath,exacerbationAcute disease and comorbidities that occur in COPD patients cause limitations in daily activities. Stress coping is one of the factors that causes good or bad self-care behavior in COPD patients. To describe the influence, stress coping and level of selfcare in COPD patients on their quality of life. The method of this study is a literature review. Literature searches using electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct. A literature review was carried out on international journals published in the last 5 years, available in full text. The keywords used were "self-care", stress coping" and "quality of life" for COPD patients. The selection of articles followed the PRISMA approach. This review summarizes eighteen articles. Five articles discussed self-care, the SelfEfficacy scale, and discriminative validity with higher self-care scale scores in individuals with greater COPD severity and poorer health status. Five articles discuss coping stress in COPD sufferers. COPD patients who have good knowledge will have more coping mechanism strategies so that their quality of life becomes more prosperous. Seven articles discussed the quality of life of COPD sufferers. If a COPD patient has good stress coping and strong confidence and confidence in his or her abilities, this will influence self-care actions and improve the COPD patient's quality of life. Future researchers are encouraged to explore similar research themes using other journal search engines to enrich the study. Keywords: Self Care, Stress Coping, Quality Of Life, COPD

Self-care styles of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A mixed methods case study

BackgroundIn people affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), self-care is crucial for improving quality of life, decreasing symptom burden, and reducing health care-related costs. Unlike other chronic conditions, little is known about the factors that influence different self-care styles in COPD patients. ObjectivesTo explore the factors that could influence the self-care styles of patients with COPD. MethodsA mixed methods case study design was used. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected at the same stage in a purposive sample of patients with COPD through questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. Data were analyzed separately and then integrated to compare the cases. ResultsThirty-seven patients with COPD were recruited from an outpatient clinic, pulmonary rehabilitation unit and online in a patient support group. On average, participants scored below the level of adequacy in all self-care dimensions. Self-care maintenance was influenced by patient age, education level, and economic status. Most participants reported performing self-care behaviors, while some did not because they found it difficult or because they did not recognize their importance. When the quantitative and qualitative data of patients with higher and lower levels of self-care were integrated, four different styles of self-care were identified according to COPD severity, psychological distress and level of self-efficacy: proactive, inactive, reactive, and hypoactive. ConclusionsPersonal, clinical, psychological, and social factors not only influence the level of self-care performed by COPD patients but also contribute to the understanding of different self-care styles. This knowledge could support health care professionals in tailoring educational interventions.

Latent profile analysis of mindful self-care and associations with mental health among nurses in China

BackgroundDespite the crucial role of mindfulness and self-care in nurses’ physical and mental health, as well as their professional well-being, most nurses exhibit low levels of self-care. Moreover, there is...

Evaluation of Self-Care Level and Related Factors Among First- Generation Chinese Australians With Cardiovascular Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Evaluation of Self-Care Level and Related Factors Among First- Generation Chinese Australians With Cardiovascular Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Investigation and Correlation Analysis of Self-Care Ability and Fatigue Among Primary Caregivers of Postoperative Patients With Liver Cancer in China.

In the postoperative period, patients mainly rely on caregivers, who experience their own physical and mental fatigue. Caregiver fatigue may affect patient outcomes. This study explored the fatigue status and influencing factors of primary caregivers of patients after liver cancer surgery. A baseline information questionnaire, the Fatigue Scale-14, and the Barthel Index were used to investigate the self-care ability and fatigue status of 191 primary caregivers of patients with hepatic carcinoma who had had surgery. The postoperative hospitalization time and self-care level of patients, whether the primary caregiver had health insurance, subjective feelings of fatigue, the perception that health was affected, and the patients' desired level of postoperative care were correlated with the occurrence of primary caregiver fatigue.

Psychometric Testing of the Korean Version of the Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory Version 3

PurposeThis methodological study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory version 3 (SC-CHDI v3) in a Korean context. MethodsThe SC-CHDI v3 was translated into Korean following a rigorous translation process. Participants were 452 patients who had experienced coronary heart disease (CHD), all recruited from a tertiary hospital in Korea. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to test construct validity. Concurrent validity was examined by correlating scores from the Korean version of the SC-CHDI v3 with those from the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale. Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. ResultsThe Korean version of the SC-CHDI v3 consists of 21 items, excluding two from the original instrument. The self-care maintenance subscale identified a two-factor structure: “treatment adherence” and “health-promoting behaviors.” The goodness-of-fit indices were satisfied: χ2 = 18.19, p = .110, comparative fit index (CFI) = .97, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = .95, and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = .04. The self-care monitoring subscale consisted of a one-dimensional structure (“monitoring behaviors”) and the goodness-of-fit indices were satisfied: χ2 = 19.19, p = .059, CFI = .99, TLI = .99, and SRMR = .04. The self-care management subscales had a two-factor structure of “consulting behaviors” and “problem-solving behaviors.” The goodness-of-fit indices were satisfied: χ2 = 16.44, p = .037, CFI = .99, TLI = .98, and SRMR = .03. Scores from the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale showed a positive correlation with the Korean version of SC-CHDI v3 subscales. Reliability estimates were ≥ .80 for all subscales except for the self-care maintenance subscale. ConclusionsThe Korean version of the SC-CHDI v3 consists of 21 items in 3 subscales and is a valid and reliable instrument. Therefore, healthcare providers can effectively utilize it to assess the self-care levels of patients with CHD.

Relationship between perceived fear of COVID-19 and self-care management in heart failure patients

Introduction and aim. The fear of contracting COVID-19, which affects human health biopsychosocially, is expected to affect the self-care management of patients with heart failure (HF). This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived fear of COVID-19 and self-care management in HF patients. Material and methods. The study was conducted with 115 HF patients. “Sociodemographic characteristics form”, “Fear of COVID-19 tool” and “Nine-item European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale (EHFScB Scale-9)” were used to collect data. Results. 51.3% of the participants in the study are in the 40–60 age range, 53.7% are male, 92.2% live with their family, 64.3% have a diagnosis of HF for less than 5 years. Levels of COVID-19 fear, and self-care management were found to be high in the participants who are 40 years old or younger, has higher education level, diagnosed within 1 to 3 years, received psychological support during the pandemic process, received training from doctor or nurse about COVID-19. Fear level and self-care levels were moderately positively correlated. Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to develop effective care strategies to identify individuals with diseases such as HF who should have high self-care management skills.

The effectiveness of social media-based microlearning in improving knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors among adult patients with type 2 diabetes: an educational intervention

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of social media-based microlearning (SMBM) on enhancing the knowledge, self-care, and self-efficacy behaviors of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving care at a hospital-based diabetes clinic in Zahedan, Iran.MethodsThis intervention study was conducted from September 2021 to the end of 2022, with an intervention group (SMBM) and a control group (conventional-based training) consisting of patients with T2D. A total of 80 eligible patients were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 40) or the control group (n = 40). The knowledge level, self-care, and self-efficacy of the samples were assessed before and two weeks after the educational intervention. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 24, and independent and paired T-tests were used for analysis.ResultsThe results of the study revealed that after the intervention, the levels of knowledge, self-care, and self-efficacy in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p-value < 0.001).ConclusionIn conclusion, the SMBM appears to be an effective tool for improving self-efficacy, self-care, and knowledge among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Self-Care of Diabetes and Diabetes Distress in Non-Hispanic Black Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.

The purpose of the study was to describe the level of self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress and examine their relationship in non-Hispanic Black adults living with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 275 non-Hispanic Black adults with type 2 diabetes in North Carolina over 10 weeks, July 2022 to September 2022. An online survey collected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, self-care measures of diabetes, and diabetes distress. The theory of self-care of chronic illness guided the study. Median regression examined the relationship between self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress. Of the 275 participants, over half reported a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at younger ages than expected, with a mean age of 40. The self-reported mean A1C of 9% exceeded the recommended goal of <7%, with an average of 2 diabetes-related comorbidities. The self-care of diabetes scale scores were low, and total diabetes distress scores were high. Significant positive associations were found between total diabetes distress and self-care monitoring and self-care management. In this sample, non-Hispanic Black adults had low levels of self-care of diabetes and high levels of diabetes distress. The findings indicate a relationship between self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress; as diabetes distress increases, so do the attempted activities of self-care of diabetes. Health care professionals in diabetes care are uniquely positioned to address further the behavioral aspects of diabetes management, particularly diabetes distress, to support non-Hispanic Black adults living with type 2 diabetes.

Development and Testing of the Hypertensive Nephropathy Self-Care Knowledge Scale

Background and Purpose:There is currently no scale to measure the self-care knowledge of patients with hypertensive nephropathy. This study aimed to develop the Hypertensive Nephropathy Self-Care Knowledge (HN-SCK) scale for these patients and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:A methodological study was conducted in two stages. In stage 1, the content of the HN-SCK scale was developed after reviewing the literature and based on Orem’s Self-Care Model. In stage 2, data were collected from June 2021 to November 2021 and a convenience sample of 240 patients in the nephrology department of a hospital were recruited. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the construct validity of the scale using principal components analysis with orthogonal rotation. The scale’s reliability was tested using Cronbach’s α and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results:The HN-SCK scale comprises 12 items. Three factors were extracted, namely disease cognition, dietary management, and notes for daily life, with Cronbach’s α coefficients of 0.72, 0.87, and 0.71, respectively. The total explained variance was 57.65%.Implications for Practice:The scale has excellent reliability and validity. It can preliminarily assess patients’ self-care knowledge so that healthcare professionals can provide them with relevant knowledge in a timely manner and thereby improve their self-care level and assist them in coexisting with their disease status.