<b>Self-monitoring blood glucose at home</b> - DOI: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v7i1.4956

Abstract

This study aims to verify the accomplishment of self-monitoring capillary blood glucose at home by individuals with diabetes, followed in a systematic health program. Data were collected through a directed interview with 54 individuals with diabetes, in a Center for Research and Extension at University of São Paulo, in 2005. The data obtained in this research show that the majority of individuals with diabetes does not perform self-monitoring blood glucose at home. The patients who do that, learned from health professionals or people not involved with their health care. The knowledge shown by the individuals with diabetes for the interpretation of the values of fasting and postprandial blood glucose proved to be insufficient. In the face of the episodes of hypoglycemia the conduct informed by the majority of the patients has shown to be appropriate but in the presence of hyperglycemia they showed difficulties to deal with the situation. Understanding the facilities and/or difficulties of individuals with diabetes to self-monitor capillary blood glucose at home can offer subsidies to health care professionals to rearrange attention to the person with diabetes, in response to the principles of an ideal health care approach.