Interventions and Outcomes of Type Two Diabetes - Research Paper Example

Interventions and Outcomes of Type Two Diabetes Interventions and Outcomes of Type Two Diabetes The study of the lifestyle of African American society in relation to their diet and type-2 diabetes shows different ideologies and conceptions. The research that was carried out indicated that this society had lifestyles, which was vulnerable to make them encounter type-2 diabetes (Matthews, 2003). The research conducted and questions to be answered have been established in relation to PICOT analysis that looks at the lifestyles of the African Americans. This will be conducted in understanding the population and the disease, which implies the African Americans living with diabetes (P). Followed by the analysis of variable of interest or intervention to show the educational intervention and the manner in which it is related to the changes in behavior or diet (I). The study also looks at the outcome, which is related to the results found in the lower values of blood glucose (O). Finally, it will discus the comparison of situations of individuals who have not acquired the education related to behavior or dietary changes (C). All these will be established through looking at the scholars’ works in journals and articles on the related subject of study. Review of Literature According to McFarlane, S. I., & Bakris, G. L. (2012) in the book, Diabetes and hypertension: Evaluation and management., It is reported that one in every five African American women who are aged above 60 years are affected by type-2 diabetes. These women undergo challenges when it is a question of managing self-care in diabetes. It is for this reason that there has been development of tailored inventions related to self-care to attain the needs of the population and development. The objective behind these studies is to ensure that the tailor made inventions are focused on making life easy for the patients (McFarlane & Bakris, 2012). It would be themed in-home four-visit and symptom oriented. It also aims to ensure that there are telephone calls, which can be monitored by attention control, which lays emphasize on diet and management of weight. Sousa et.al asserts the above claims, indicating that the American community has had many cases of diagnosis of type-2 diabetes. The number that has been recorded stands at 7 percent. Many of the people being affected by this disease are the African Americans. They are reported to be twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease as compared to the other communities. At the same time, they would have complications associated with the disease compared to their Caucasian American counterparts. These studies indicate that the African Americans who are aged above 60 years are will have higher rates of being diagnosed with the disease (Sousa, Ryan-Wenger, Driessnack, & Jaber, 2010). These women are reported to live in poverty, which makes it difficult for them to handle and manage the disease on their own. The ones that feel the burden are those who live in the rural areas as they luck proper healthcare providers and transportation. At the same time, they do not have mandatory resources associated with community based support and self-care. The reason as to why the diabetes management and control was implemented was to ensure that there is improved glycemic control, which is essential for delaying, or preventing complications related to the disease. McFarlane & Bakris, claim this management comprises of a complex regimen of daily foot care, meal planning, weight control, physical exercise, oral medication and administering of insulin and monitoring of blood glucose. It is normally difficult for the older women to implement this self-care but their resources, functional capability and culture often influence them. The older patients usually witness the complications related to diabetes. On the other hand, the symptoms related to other commodities might also play a major role in limiting their self-care (McFarlane & Bakris, 2012). The cultures of the southern African American women also decrease the manner in which they can carryout self-care. They normally have their duties bestowed on family and the belief that God influences everything. This makes it difficult for them to visit a healthcare facility to be checked since their cultural practice does not permit them. Summary It is reported that type-2 diabetes accounts to 90% to 95% of the cases related to diabetes. Majority of the people who are diagnosed with the disease are the African Americans. The reason that majority of them sometimes have the complications related to the disease is due to the lack of knowledge about the disease (Chlebowy, 2002). Therefore, it is important that individuals are made to be aware of the issues surrounding the disease and the manner in which they can curb some of the issues related to it. It is also important to have knowledge of some of the diets and foods that one is required to take whenever he is diagnosed of the disease. They should also have knowledge on the treatment required and approaches that can help them curb the complications. Communication with the doctors is vital. It is for this reason that tailor made educational structure on the disease is essential. This makes it easy for the doctors to give clear instructions that the patients will understand to avoid problems of misunderstandings. Nursing implications There are instances when the level of diabetes might be resistance to insulin. This makes it difficult for one to lower the level of glucose in the blood stream. The studies indicate that the patients in this situation might have craving for sugar while at the same time they are suppose to lower their weight. The same studies indicate that the African American patients with diabetes might be capable of handling this situation with the help of natural ways. One of the best ways is through proper exercising and maintenance of healthy diet. It is also indicated that certain supplements can be used to help an individual to be able to manage lower values of blood glucose level (McFarlane & Bakris, 2012). It is essential for the patients to always maintain the level of blood glucose at a normal range. This helps in the prevention of long-term damages to the body and complications, which are related to diabetes. The level of sugar can be maintained in various ways. The first method involves having a routine exercise. The exercise helps in maintenance of the glucose level as per the requirements while at the same time preventing the patient from future illness. They glucose level can also be maintained through having a good diet that is low from carbohydrate. There are occasions when the patient would use supplements to maintain the required level blood glucose. The objective behind this initiative is to ensure that individuals in the society have the essential knowledge that is required for implementation of self-care in relation to diabetes. This health literacy implementation is perceived to have influence in self-efficacy and self-management of the disease by the African American women who are living with the disease. Form the studies, it is affirmed that more than fifty English speaking African American adults who are known to have diabetes, were recruited to participate in a diabetes literacy class. Conclusion Lack of proper knowledge and medical literacy is associated with difficulties in understanding verbal and written medical advices from the practitioners. This sometimes results to medical complications and negative influences in health of individuals. According to the medical records, diabetes patients that have minimal knowledge of the condition would have difficulties in understanding the administration of insulin knowledge. They would also have problems with dietary instructions, and the list used in exchange of food (Chlebowy, 2002). They might also have problems with following the routines given for the physical exercises. Luck of proper knowledge, might make it difficult for an individual to prosper in proper medications in the healthcare field. At the same time, the communication between the patient and the physician will be altered which results to medical care which is substandard. The elderly have been seen to be victims of low literacy and they are classified with people who have few years of education. These low levels of literacy have been seen to be associated with the health disparities in African Americans making them vulnerable to attacks by other diseases that should have been contained early. References Chlebowy, D. O. (2002). Impact of social support, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations on self-care behaviors and glycemic control in Caucasian and African-American adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cramer, J. A., Benedict, A., Muszbek, N., Keskinaslan, A., & Khan, Z. M. (January 01, 2008). The significance of compliance and persistence in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia: a review. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 62, 1, 76-87. Current literature in diabetes. (July 01, 2009). Diabetes/metabolism Research and Reviews, 25, 5.) Hamilton, J. B., Stewart, B. J., Crandell, J. L., & Lynn, M. R. (June 01, 2009). Development of the ways of helping questionnaire: A measure of preferred coping strategies for older African American cancer survivors. Research in Nursing & Health, 32, 3, 243-259. Matthews, D. D. (2003). Diabetes sourcebook: Basic consumer health information about type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset diabetes), type 2 diabetes (noninsulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes), gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and related complications, such as amputation, eye disease, gum disease, nerve damage, and end-stage renal disease, including facts about insulin, oral diabetes medications, blood sugar testing, and the role of exercise and nutrition in the control of diabetes ; along with a glossary and resources for further help and information. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics. McFarlane, S. I., & Bakris, G. L. (2012). Diabetes and hypertension: Evaluation and management. New York: Springer. Sousa, V. D., Ryan-Wenger, N. A., Driessnack, M., & Jaber, A. F. (December 01, 2010). Factorial structure of the perception of risk factors for type 2 diabetes scale: exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 16, 6, 1096-1102. Read More