Relação entre conhecimento, atitude, escolaridade e tempo de doença em indivíduos com diabetes mellitus

Abstract

To relate the knowledge and attitudes of users with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), according to educational level and duration of disease. Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive transversal study conducted in a Basic Health District Unit in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, S P, in 2010. We interviewed 123 users with DM2, who met the inclusion criteria. For data collection we used: Knowledge Questionnaire (DKN-A) and Questionnaire of Psychological Attitudes about Diabetes (TA-19). Data were collected through direct interviews. For the analysis, we used the Fisher exact test. Results: The mean age was 63.87 ± 9.09 years, 4.54 ± 3.66 years of study, mean disease duration 11.18 ± 8.64 years. The education and disease duration were statistically signif cant (p <0.01 and 0.02, respectively) for the acquisition of knowledge and readiness for self-care in diabetes. Conclusions: education and disease duration are variables that inf uence the knowledge and attitude of patients with DM2.