The Effect of Care Provided at Home by Public Health Nurse on Control of Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

AIM: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of home care provided for patients with type II diabetes by public health nurse on HbA1c, and to investigate the opinions of these patients regarding diabetes.

METHOD: The quantitative aspect of the study consisted of a pre and posttest with the control group; the qualitative aspect consisted of a semi-structured interviewing technique. The sample size was 48 patients receiving treatment within the clinic of hospital during 11th-30th April 2016. Because some patients were excluded from the study, the research was completed with a sample size of 20 for the experiment and 20 for the control group. The following forms were used during data: Pre and post measurement and qualitative interview forms. A total of seven home visits were conducted for the experiment group and two home visits for the control group, during 2nd May to 27th October, 2016.

RESULTS: HbA1c decreased by 0.75% in the experiment group (p<0.05). It was found that faulty usage of insulin was treated; all patients developed the habit of tracking blood glucose. Blood glucose of three patients continued to remain at high levels, and most of the patients failed to develop healthy eating habits and regular exercising.

CONCLUSION: According to these results, it is advised that long-term interventions be planned with the contributions of other experts.