Assessment of attitudes and behaviors of diabetic patients concerning self management

Object: This study was planned to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the "Diabetes Intention, Attitude and Behavior Questionnaire (DIAB-Q)" and to measure the attitudes and behaviors related to individual management in patients followed-up with the diagnosis of diabetes. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between November 2020 and May 2021 with patients monitored at Endocrine and Metabolism Clinics of a private hospital who agreed to respond to the survey in person. In this methodological and descriptive study sample group is made up of 125 patients on or above 18 years of age that were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and who agreed to participate in the study. During internal consistency test Cronbach Alfa reliability coefficient was not assessed for the original scale, thus Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficients were studied for every sub-dimension during internal consistency analysis. Participants in scale form were determined to have high levels of reliability in DIAB-Q scale sub-dimensions. It was determined that reliability coefficient varied between 0.598 and 0.896 for scale sub-dimensions. In line with all these findings it was determined that the DIAB-Q Scale that was adapted to Turkish was a valid and reliable scale. From scale sub-dimensions it was determined that the highest value was received from perceived behavioral control sub-dimension (86.00±16.44). Some sub-dimensions of DIAB-Q scale demonstrated positive significant correlation. This study indicates that factors affecting individual management in patients with diabetes are exercise, diet, and weight. Conclusion: Supporting patients with diabetes is suggested regarding consultancy, training and self-management towards individual management. Key words: diabetes, type 2 diabetes, self management, validity and reliability, nursing