Relationship between diabetes self-management education and self-care behaviors among African American women with type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which African American women participate in diabetes self-management education (DSME) and the impact of participation on self-care behaviors. Results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (2007) revealed, approximately, 53.6% of participants reported having had DSME, less than the 62.5% participation rate suggested by Healthy People 2020. Those who received DSME were significantly more likely to check their own blood sugar and feet regularly; to participate in moderate physical activity; and to have received healthcare provider foot examinations, glycosolated hemoglobin measurements, and dilated eye examinations in the past year. These results indicate the importance of DSME and the need for health care providers to develop strategies and policies to improve participation among this ethnic group of women. Thereby, decreasing complications related to Type 2 diabetes and improving the quality of life for these Women.