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| Author | Nancy Maree Camenzuli |
| Abstract | The aim of this study was to explore awareness of the risk factors of heart disease and health behaviour amongst persons with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). A non-experimental descriptive study was used to fulfill this aim. Convenience sampling was used and a sample of 20 persons with type 2 DM was obtained from an outpatients unit. Awareness of risk factors of heart disease and health behaviour was explored by using face-to-face structured interviews. A response rate of 95.2% (n=20) was obtained. The sample was of female dominance, and most participants were over 70 years and had attained a primary school level of education. Findings suggest that awareness of a poor diet being a risk factor of heart disease was high but awareness on the other risk factors was poor. Health behaviour of persons with type 2 DM was satisfactory. All attended regular outpatients' appointments. Most checked their blood glucose at least every 2 weeks. More than half (n=12) checked their blood pressure at least once a year. Participants stated that they followed a healthy diet (n=12) to control cholesterol. Only 2 never checked their cholesterol levels. Most participants (n=17) believed that their diet was healthy and that their weight was appropriate to height (n=12). Eleven participants exercised regularly. Most (n=10) stated that they did this by walking, eight of whom walked every day. Most of those who stated they did not exercise said that this was due to physical problems (n=5). Only one person smoked. Recommendations include education for persons with type 2 DM, organisation of support groups, development of practice guidelines, repetition of the study on a wider scale using a random large sample, and a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of health education. |
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| Key words | Heart Disease, Health Behaviour, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Risk factors, Thesis |