Determine the levels of family support and cohesion for diabetic patients

Objective: The most significant objective in treatment and control of diabetes and compliance of the individual to the disease is providing family support. The objective of the research is to evaluate the disease compliance of the individuals diagnosed as diabetes and their family support levels.Material and Method: As a descriptive type, the research was conducted with 107 inpatient and outpatient diabetic individuals between the dates of September and December 2010. Pre-Interview Form and Hensarling?s Diabetes Family Support Scale were used as data collection tools, and data were collected via face to face interview method and medical records.Findings: Research population comprised 107 cases whose 57% were women (n=57) and 47% were men (n=50). Average age of the diabetics was found as 50.95±15.087. HbA1c average of the cases was 5.51%, which was among normal values. Majority of the diabetic individuals lived with their couples / couples and children. It was determined that 92.5% of diabetic individuals had type 2 diabetes, diagnosis time of 76.6% individuals was 0 to 7 years and 88.88% of them made regular blood glucose control. Just 15.9% (n=17) of the diabetics were not trained about diabetes. Evaluating answers to the question of ?the best supporter in diabetes care?, it was seen that 78.5% of the population had couple support. It was stated that total scores of Hensarling?s Diabetes Family Support Scale partially decreased when age increased, and married have significantly high scale total score average than single when scale total scores were compared in accordance with marital status. When scale total score averages in accordance with diabetes types were compared, scale total score average of type 1 diabetics was significantly higher that type 2 diabetics. Scale scores of those who were trained were higher.Result: Hensarling?s Diabetes Family Support Scale was determined to be a valid-reliable scale tool with adapted to Turkish type. It was specified that compliance was better and complication development rates were lower in the patients who had high scale scores. It was suggested that family support should be regularly evaluated in the individual care period.Keywords: Diabetes, family, support