Perceptions, Enablers and Nurturers Related to Self-care Behaviors in Adolescent with Type 1 Diabetes

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes show poorer adherence to self-care behaviors, compared with other patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions, enablers, and nurturers related to self-care behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016, on 120 adolescent participants with type 1 diabetes who had been referred to the Iranian Diabetes Association. Data collection tools were a questionnaire based on the PEN-3 Model and information extracted during interviews and focus group discussions. The questionnaire consisted of four parts (Demographic variables, Perceptions, Enablers, and Nurturers); the validity and reliability of the questionnaire had been approved. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 software and descriptive statistics tests.
Over 44% of adolescents with type 1 diabetes reported moderate compliance with self-care behaviors. Insupportable self-care behaviors, denial of disease, expensive blood glucose (blood sugar) test strips, lack of public and private education, lack of attention to spirituality and the spiritual needs of patients in therapeutic programs, conflict with parents and poor communication with other type 1 diabetes patients were the most important perceptions, enablers and nurturers.
Focusing more attention on the design of the general education programs, via mass media and dedicated training, increasing government support and health insurance for patients, along with addressing and spiritual needs of patients can help overcome these obstacles.