Awareness of the risk factors of heart disease and health behaviour amongst persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore awareness of the risk factors of heart disease and health behaviour amongst persons with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). A non-experimental descriptive study was used to fulfil this aim. Convenience sampling was used and a sample of20 persons with type 2 DM was obtained from an outpatients unit. Awareness of risk factors of heart disease and health behaviour was explored by using face-to-face structured interviews. A response rate of 95.2% (n=20) was obtained. The sample was of female dominance, most participants were over 70 years and had attained a primary school level of education. Findings suggest that awareness of a poor diet being a risk factor of heart disease was high but awareness on the other risk factors was poor. Health behaviour of persons with type 2 DM was satisfactory. All attended regular outpatients' appointments. Most checked their blood glucose at least every 2 weeks. More than half (n=12) checked their blood pressure at least once a year. Participants stated that they followed a healthy diet (n=12) to control cholesterol. Only 2 never checked their cholesterol levels. Most participants (n=l 7) believed that their diet was healthy and that their weight was appropriate to height (n=12). Eleven participants exercised regularly. Most (n=IO) stated that they did this by walking, eight of whom walked everyday. Most of those who stated they did not exercise said that this was due to physical problems (n=5). Only one person smoked. Recommendations include education for persons with type 2 DM, organisation of support groups, development of practice guidelines, repetition of the study on a wider scale using a random large sample, and a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of health education.