Nursing educational intervention on adherence to self-care and treatment in individuals with diabetes

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent disease. Its management requires a multifaceted approach that includes proper self-care behaviors and patient empowerment. Objective: To assess the effect of educational intervention performed by nurses on adherence to self-care and treatments in patients with diabetes. Methods: This is an analytical and interventional prospective quantitative study. A convenience sample was studied, composed of 102 participants with diabetes. Data collection was carried out by applying the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCAM) and the Psychometric Measure of Adherence to Treatments scale (PMAT) before and three months after the educational nursing intervention. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the first assessment and the assessment after the nursing educational intervention, in dimensions D1: General Food, D2: Specific Food, D4: Foot Care, and D5: Medications of the SDSCAM, and in the total value of the PMAT, revealing that, in general, the participants improved in their adherence to self-care and to treatments after the educational intervention. Conclusion: Educational nursing intervention focused on adherence to self-care and treatments, which involved the patient with diabetes and family in disease management, will be effective in reaching the best potential in health, producing positive effects in changing diabetic patients’ behaviors and habits.