| The International Diabetes Federation states that there are over 246 million people in the world who have diabetes. The occurrence of co-morbidities associated with diabetes can be significantly reduced with adherence to diabetes self-care behaviors. Self-care behaviors consist of a series of behaviors that encompass life-diet, exercise, self-blood glucose examinations, and self-foot examinations.;This is the only national population -based study of diabetes self-care behaviors to comprehensively identify the influence of age, gender, income, and having a regular provider of care across a complete range of self-care behaviors. This is also the first analysis of its kind to examine how environmental influences and population characteristics function to influence self-care behaviors of diabetic adults over time.;The study design consisted of a time series cross-sectional design with binary dependent variables. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System cross-sectional data sets from the years 2000-2003, 2005, and 2007 were pooled. A Pearson Chi Square Test was performed. This was followed by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Next, a stratification analysis was performed on the multivariate logistic regression model.;A majority of sample participants stated that they performed lifestyle behaviors (i.e., diet, exercise) and medical surveillance behaviors (i.e., self-foot examination, self-monitored blood glucose examinations).;Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that women were more likely than men to perform diet, self-foot examinations, and self-monitored blood glucose examinations. Older diabetics (35-64; 65 and older) were more likely than younger diabetics to perform diet and self-foot examinations. However, they were less likely to perform exercise self-care. There was a positive marriage effect on the performance of self-care behaviors - this was seen for the stratum of both men and women. Having health insurance and a regular healthcare provider were associated with a positive effect on the performance of self-care behaviors.;Diabetics do not behave as a uniform body of individuals. Some individuals display propensity to perform certain self-care behaviors while others do not. There are a multitude of factors from various levels that are associated with the performance of self-care behaviors. More research is needed to further understand the effect of these factors on self-care behaviors.;Keywords: diabetes, self-care behaviors, time-series analysis... |
