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Abstract
Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the level of knowledge of clinical nurses regarding oral anti-diabetic medications.
Methodology: The survey was conducted in the internal medicine clinics working at a university hospital in Bursa city during the period between February and March 2013 as a descriptive and cross-sectional study and included 50 nurses. Data were evaluated and statistical procedures were performed using SPSS; specifically, the number and percent distribution were determined using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Walls test.
Results: The sampling power was 92%.The average score on the set of questions to determine the level of knowledge of the nurses was 52±8.7. When the factors were evaluated according to the values assigned to the age of the nurses (p=0.006), work times (p=0.002), educational status (p=0.017), and availability of diabetes education (p=0.005), the differences were statistically significant.
Conclusion: The findings suggest supporting the nurses with clinical training on oral anti-diabetic medications.
Key Words: Type 2 DM, oral anti-diabetic medication, clinical nursing, level of knowledge
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that lasts a lifetime; however, DM can be treated. Type 2 (T2) DM implies that the basic disorder is insulin resistance in the liver and peripheral, as well as insufficient insulin secretion by the pancreas (ADA, 2012; AACE, 2012; Kahn et al., 2004; Inzucchi, 2002). The ideal treatment in individuals with T2DM is the regulation of glucose metabolism by means of diet and exercise; however, these measures are not sufficient for three-fourths of patients. Thus, oral anti-diabetic medications are needed. (ADA, 2012; AACE, 2012; DCCT, 2010; Longo, 2010; Philippe & Raccah, 2009).
Oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) are used in diabetics in whom the ability of insulin secretion has not been exhausted, i.e., insulin production continues, albeit decreased. The treatment begins with OAD as mono-therapy, mostly in patients with T2DM (Philippe & Raccah, 2009; Chyan & Chuang, 2007; Mizuno et al., 2008; Inzucchi, 2002). With the scope of T2DM, OADs can be classified depending on the mechanism of action as follows: increasing insulin secretion of the pancreas (insulin secretagogues); improving insulin sensitivity of the liver and periphery; and decreasing intestinal absorption of glucose (ADA, 2012; AACE, 2012; DCCT, 2010; Longo, 2010; Pratley, 2009; Chyan & Chuang, 2007; Ozcan, 2002).
Clinic...