Iranian Journal of

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Background: Education is important aspect of diabetes management and important part of care for these patients. This study aimed to assess the effects of peer education on self-care behaviors among diabetic patients                            

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 80 type 2 diabetic patients were selected and randomly allocated into two groups of intervention and control. In the intervention group, In addition to routine training center, patients were receiving health and self- care education in the field of diabetes by peer. In the control group, patients were receiving usual education in accordance with normal procedures by doctors and nurses and through posters and pamphlets of the diabetes center. Study instruments included a questionnaire for demographic variables and self-care behaviors questionnaire (Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities). Validity and reliability of questionnaire has been confirmed in previous studies. Data were collected at baseline and 12 weeks after the intervention.  Data analysis was done using SPSS V.18. 

Results: After the intervention, mean score of self-care behaviors in the intervention group was increased and showed a significant difference in self-care behaviors between two groups (independent t- test, P=0.001).  In the intervention group, statistically significant difference was found before and after the intervention (paired t-test, P=0.001), whereas in the control group this difference was not statistically significant (paired t-test, p=0/28).                             

Conclusion:  Peer education can improve self-care behaviors. Thus use of this method along with other training methods is recommended.

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Background: The aim of the present research is to predict the self-care behaviors based on emotional distress and physician – patient’s relationship in adolescents with diabetes.
Methods: The research design was correlation and the study population included all adolescents with diabetes at Shiraz city. For this purpose, 198 adolescent patients participated in the study through the convenience sampling method. Research instruments included the Questionnaire of Diabetes Self-management, Emotional Distress Questionnaire and finally Physician–Patient’s Relationship Questionnaire. To analyze the data, the simultaneous multiple regression methods were applied using SPPS (version 17).
Results: Regression analysis showed that emotional distress (β=-0.58, P<0.001) significantly (negative) predicted diabetes self-care behaviors. Also, among the components of emotional distress only barriers to treatment (β=-0.53, P<0.001) significantly (negative) predicted diabetes self-care behaviors. However, results showed that physician–patient’s relationship did not significantly predicted diabetes self-care behaviors.
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be argued that the emotional distress (especially barriers to treatment) variable, play an important role in addressing diabetes self-care behaviors in adolescents.