Brief report: Self-care behaviors of children with type 1 diabetes living in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Objective: To examine self-care behaviors among children and adolescents with type I diabetes living in Puerto Rico, to determine the relationship between self-care and demographic variables, and to investigate the utility of the 24-hour recall in terview within a Hispanic population. Method: Forty-one children (M age = 12.6 years) with type I diabetes, and their mothers, were administered the 24-hour recall interview on three separate occasions to assess diabetes-related self-care behaviors. Results: Children reported self-care behaviors that included daily administration of an average of two insulin injections and two blood glucose tests, and consumption of 5.5 meals a day comprised of 52% carbohydrates and 29% fat. Younger age, female gender, longer illness duration, and better metabolic control were associated with higher rates of several self-care behaviors. Conclusions: Data provide a first look at self-care behaviors of children with type I diabetes living in Puerto Rico and suggest the utility of the 24-hour recall interview within this population.