Correlation between self-care and self-efficacy in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Diabetes Type 1 is one of the most common pediatric chronic conditions. Metabolic control and adherence to medications is weaker in adolescents with diabetes type 1 than preadolescent children. Lack of follow up of treatment regime causes short and long term complications in adolescents with diabetes type 1. So this disease demands special self-care behaviors lifelong. One of the most effective factors on self care is self-efficacy. Present study aims to determine the correlation between self-care and self-efficacy among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of three months from January to March 2011. Subjects included all adolescents with type 1 diabetes (about 50 patients) who referred to the clinic of Pediatric Hospital in Rasht. Data were collected through interview using a three part questionnaire covering demographic data، self-efficacy and self-care in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19، and descriptive and analytical statistics (Pearson correlation square، one way variance). Mean score of samples’ self-efficacy was 32. 91± 11. 79 and self-care mean was 131. 86 ± 15. 88. In this study، Pearson correlation square showed a significant positive correlation between self-care and self-efficacy (p<0. 0001). This study showed a significant positive correlation between self-care and self-efficacy. Therefore self-efficacy is significant pre factor for successful self-care behavior and promotion of self-efficacy methods can improve self-care of diabetic adolescents.