An Assessment of the Knowledge base of the Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Adult

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Abstract
This study investigated the adequacy of knowledge of self-management principles in the insulin-dependent diabetic adult. The sample (N = 30) consisted of diabetic adults between the ages of 42 and 65. An exploratory cross-sectional, correlational design was used and data were collected through a structured questionnaire, which included an interview schedule and the Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT). Individual knowledge test scores were computed to determine total percentage correct, and item analysis was done to determine what specific information was commonly lacking in the diabetic adult. Multiple-correlation regression was performed to analyze the relationship between certain factors thought to influence the diabetic adult's ability to learn (age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, educational level, length of time since diagnosis, and type of clinic attended) and achievement on the DKT. Results indicated that only 10 participants (33.3 %) achieved scores on the DKT higher than 70%, the score selected as the minimum criterion for "adequate" knowledge. Furthermore, the educational level of the participant was found to be the only significant predictor of test achievement (p < .001).