Conhecimento alimentar e perfil socioeconômico de indivíduos portadores de diabetes tipo 2 atendidos em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde no Município de Orobó-PE.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia that has a high prevalence worldwide, with high rates of morbidity and mortality, being among the five most important chronic diseases in the health sector. Factors such as gender, age, socioeconomic status and education level are related to diabetes; and, often, associated with access to information about food and nutritional quality. Objective: To outline the socioeconomic profile of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated at a health unit in the city of Orobó-PE and assess the level of dietary knowledge about the disease. Methodology: cross-sectional, observational study, with a quantitative and descriptive approach, carried out with people with type 2 diabetes, treated at a basic health unit in the city of Orobó/PE. Two instruments were used: the Diabetes Knowledge Scale Questionnaire to assess general knowledge of diabetes and a structured questionnaire to collect socioeconomic variables. Results: The majority of research participants were female (62.79%), aged between 51 and 60 years old (37.21%), had not completed primary education (67.44%), were retired (72.09%), had a family income between 1 and 2 minimum wages (44.19%) and were without nutritional support (76.74%). In relation to the DKN-A questionnaire, those involved had unsatisfactory knowledge about diabetes (62.79%), and with the lowest rates of correct answers associated with the food theme; mainly in relation to food replacement (27.91%). Conclusions: It is necessary for health professionals to seek to develop health education strategies in order to expand the construction of knowledge about the disease, especially in relation to dietary issues, adapting them to the characteristics and particularities of the target audience, seeking a better guidance in treatment.