<p> Diabetes is a chronic disease that is revealed through the form of abnormal serum glucose levels. Serum glucose levels that are not maintained at acceptable clinical diagnostic standards contribute to additional physical complications that impact the individual’s ability to carry out effectively the activities of daily living. The chronic nature of the disease requires long-term monitoring and management by the healthcare team and the individual diagnosed with the condition. </p><p> Diabetes is a major health issue that impacts millions of individuals globally. Diabetes has been identified as one of the most challenging health problems of the 21st Century (International Diabetes Federation, 2011a). Many states such as North Carolina are experiencing significant increases in the diabetes prevalence rate among racial and ethnic groups. Unfortunately, diabetes prevalence rates are higher among minority populations. North Carolina has experienced a significant increase in the number of diverse populations living in rural and urban areas throughout the state. Therefore, delivery of healthcare services may need to be targeted towards populations at higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes. </p><p> Although the outlook of inhibiting the development of diabetes is daunting, much can be done to delay and manage the disease process more effectively. It has been well established that lifestyle changes related to nutrition, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, medication therapy if applicable, and self-management education will improve the quality of life. Therefore, the health behavioral practices used to manage lifestyle activities are crucial to the state and outcome of the individual’s condition. Consequently, diabetes is a chronic disease that is heavily dependent on the actions of the individual and their frequency in carrying out critical diabetes self-care practices. The purpose of this research study was to examine the differences in diabetes self-care practices among diverse populations living in the rural southeastern portion of North Carolina. Understanding the differences in diabetes self-care practices is critically important to the management of diabetes. Self-care practices are the cornerstones to achieving a healthier outcome in the management of diabetes. Healthy diets and exercise practices are a few of the many diabetes self-care activities that can minimize the disease. This will help prevent the development of diabetes associated with complications such as blindness, hypertension, kidney and heart disease. Identifying differences in self-care practices among diverse populations should be taken into consideration when planning diabetes educational training. Increasing the span of knowledge regarding the differences or similarities of self-care practices may assist healthcare providers in selecting thoughtful planned initiatives that will move the culture of patient accountability in daily self-care practices to a new level of healthier outcomes.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3558109 |
| Date | 09 May 2013 |
| Creators | McArthur-Kearney, Cynthia |
| Publisher | Central Michigan University |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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