Knowledge of the glucose self-monitoring technique in diabetic patients in a municipality of Hidalgo State

Abstract

Introduction: There are several types of diabetes depending on their cause. People with diabetes may have elevations or decreases in levels unexpectedly. It is necessary to monitor glucose levels, to detect and prevent the occurrence of complications. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of the glucose self-monitoring technique in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Material and method: Non-experimental, transactional, descriptive research. A sample of 30 older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, non-probabilistic sampling for convenience. A validated instrument “Knowledge of the self-monitoring technique in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” was applied, by author Fogel Gerardo, with 22 items, informed consent was delivered. Results: The average age was 61 years (SD = 9,290; 45-88), with a female prevalence of 67%, Housewife occupation of 60% and a primary schooling level of 37%. It was identified that 100% of the sample has its own glucometer, as for the knowledge of the self-monitoring technique, it was observed that 60% perform their self-monitoring in the morning and that 70% do it once a day. The 40% have the right knowledge about normal glucose values, while the other 60% have a wrong knowledge Conclusions: There is a lack of knowledge about the self-monitoring technique in a large part of diabetic patients of the Health Center of the Municipality of Arenal, Hidalgo; since little more than half fail to identify basic steps for proper self-monitoring technique.