Factors Related to Diabetic Clients' Knowledge

• DOI: 10.2466/pr0.1979.44.3.683
• Publication Date: 2011-09-01T08:46:57Z
• Authors: Elaine D. Dyer; Roberta C. Cole; Susan Franklin; Dianne N. Ishida; Lynn Hicks Nugent; Anna-Lee Chalfant; Elizabeth M. Donahue; Nell Hickok; Marilyn M. Kunishi; Sally Plaisted
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Learning; 3. Good health

Conditions facilitating diabetics' learning were sought. Diabetic clients ( N = 114) from five hospitals in Western United States were studied to determine relationships between clients' knowledge, demographic descriptors, and various teaching approaches. Relationships were analyzed using correlation, multiple correlation and t tests. High pretest scores, as determined by multiple regression ( R .64), were obtained by clients who: (a) were better educated, (b) had obtained information in a hospital, (c) had diabetes longer, and (d) were younger. High posttest scores, determined by multiple regression ( R .53), were obtained by clients who: (a) were better educated, (b) were younger, (c) obtained diabetic information on an outpatient basis, and (d) had read more written material about diabetes. High difference scores, determined by multiple regression ( R .40), were obtained by clients who: (a) were more recently diagnosed, (b) received instruction in an outpatient course, and (c) had less formal education. Knowledge scores of clients who received instruction in the hospital or on an outpatient basis were not different at pretest but were at posttest. Diabetic clients learned more about management of their disease in classes taught after hospitalization.