SELF-CARE PRACTICES DEVELOPED FOR TYPE 2 DIABETICS IN A FAMILY HEALTH UNIT

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a chronic condition that imposes limitations onindividuals in daily activities and may lead to decreased self-esteem and affect quality of life,requiring actions of health education for the whole family and society in order to promote self-care.This study aimed to characterize the type 2 diabetics in a health unit served by the FamilyEducation Program of Work for Health / Family Health in Várzea Grande / MT in relation to sociodemographicand self-care practices. 26 individuals participated in the study who responded to aquestionnaire, whose results were tabulated on Epi-Info 3.5.1 Program. Of these, 74.1% werefemale, 57.7% married, 38.5% were between 60 to 69 years, 50% had finished elementary school,and 69.2% had family income between 1 and 2 minimum wages . It was found that self-carepractices are developed in part with a predominance of adherence to drug therapy and change ineating habits, but there is poor adherence to the practice of physical exercises. We conclude that it isimportant to promote health education activities to consider the person with type 2 diabetes in theirpotential for new learning with a view to permanent self-care.