HISPANIC DIABETIC ELDERS: SELF-CARE BEHAVIORS AND EXPLANATORY MODELS (ELDERLY).
Contributors: University of Iowa.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 193
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Behavioral.; Anthropology, Cultural.
Description: The main purpose of this study was to investigate diabetes related self-care behaviors of insulin dependent diabetic Puerto Rican elders and to explore aspects of patients' and health professionals' explanatory models of diabetes. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed in conjunction with a correlational design. The sample consisted of elderly subjects, 55 years or over from the rural community of Lares, Puerto Rico (N = 40) and health professionals (N = 5) from the Health Center of this community who treated and/or advised patients concerning diabetes management.

A self-report diary was employed to measure patients' level of compliance with their diabetes regimens. An interview schedule was employed to elicit patients' and health professionals' explanatory models. Differences among patients' and health professionals' explanatory models were measured through an assessment questionnaire.

Results showed low patients' level of compliance with insulin and diet. Interestingly, quantitative as well as qualitative differences among patients' and health professionals explanatory models does exist. Patients had a socio-cultural perspective of diabetes and their primary concern was the impact of diabetes on their bodies and lives. Meanwhile, health professionals visualized diabetes primarily as a physiological problem and their main concern was the impact of diabetes on patients' physiological body.

A diversity of non-prescribed self-care behaviors such as medicinal plants, home remedies and praying were reported by patients to treat their diabetes. When asked about reasons why they use medicinal plants patients explained that diabetes is an illness which produces large amounts of sugar. Furthermore, they believed sources which are bitter and/or sour are needed to counteract the large amount of sugar produced. No statistically significant difference was found between degree of congruence among patients' and health professionals' explanatory models, patients' level of compliance, and non-prescribed self-care behaviors.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-07, Section: B, page: 3403.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, 1992.

School code: 0096.