Education program for diabetic elderly patients about subcutaneous injection and blood sugar test

الملخص EN

The goal of gerontology is not only to determine ways of prolonging life but also to improve the quality of care for the older persons and to ensure that they will become active and productive personnel.

The administration of subcutaneous injection (SC) is used when there is a need for medication to be absorbed more slowly and have prolonged effect as for insulin.

Blood sugar test is important method to measure and follow level the sugar of the blood.

Aim of this study was to assess the effect of an educational program for diabetic elderly patients about subcutaneous injection and blood sugar test.

Sample: The present study included all diabetic elderly patients in Geriatric Home and Geriatric Club in Beni- Suef city.

The research design was a quasi-experimental one with pre, post and follow-up tests.

Tools: The investigators used three tools for data collection; tool I: A structured knowledge test, tool II: The observation checklist sheet, and tool III: A structured attitudes' sheet.

Results: the study results showed that, more than three quarters were range from 60 to less than 65 years, while less than one fifth were from 65: < 70 years, all of them never attended any previous training program.

There are highly statically significant differences in the studied sample practices of these measures between pretest and immediate post-test and also between pretest and late follow-up test.

Conclusion: Before the educational program the majority of the studied sample had poor knowledge related to subcutaneous injection and sugar blood test.

The studied sample knowledge and skills in the field of the elderly care improved immediately after exposure to the educational program, while after four months their knowledge declined.

Recommendations; Developing planning, and implementing a training program related the elders' care needs for non paramedical personnel for improving health care outcomes