Page 191 - GHR_NursingCMU2024_Final.indd

The Differences in Self-care between Younger and Older Adults and Its Associated
Factors in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in China

1
2
X. LAN, S. Lu, B. Ye, and X. Ji 3
3
1 2
Nusing Department, Lishui University, China, Medicine School, Lishui University, China, and
3
Endocrinology Department, Lishui People’s Hospital, China

Background: Self-care is essential for both younger adults (aged 18–64 years) and older adults
(aged ≥ 65 years) to manage type 2 diabetes. However, to date, no study has compared self-care
and its influencing factors between younger and older adults with type 2 diabetes in China. Such a
comparison is important because the results can guide healthcare providers to establish tailored
self-care enhancement programs that are specific and suitable for patients.

Objective: To describe age differences in self-care and identify socio-demographic and clinical
determinants of self-care according to age in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in the outpatient departments of three
tertiary hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China. Using a consecutive sampling recruitment strategy, 495
adults with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were
developed by the researchers based on a literature review. The Self-Care of Diabetes Index (SCODI)
questionnaire was employed to measure self-care.

Results: Out of a total of 495 participants, 284 (57.4%) were younger adults. When compared with
older individuals, younger respondents were more likely to have a lower self-care maintenance
score (p=0.001), self-care monitoring score (p=0.324), and self-care management score (p=0.011).The
logistic regression analysis revealed that educational level, monthly income, time from diagnosis,
participation in diabetes self-management education, and self-care confidence were significant
determinants of self-care in younger adults (all p<0.05). Meanwhile, occupation and self-care
Poster Presentation Abstracts
confidence emerged as significant determinants of self-care in older adults (all p<0.05)

Conclusion: Younger adults with type 2 diabetes exhibited lower self-care scores compared to their
older counterparts. These differences in self-care were influenced by distinct socio-demographic
and clinical factors. These findings offer valuable insights for healthcare providers and policymakers
in China, emphasizing the need to develop evidence-based, age-specific self-care intervention
programs.

Keywords: older adults, self-care, type 2 diabetes, younger adults

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Correspondence: Shunfei Lu, Medicine School, Lishui University, China
E-mail: lushunfei@lsu.edu.cn

189