OBJECTIVE:To compare the effectiveness of individual and group strategies in a diabetes education program. METHODS:A total of 104 type-2 diabetes outpatients enrolled in an education program of a teaching hospital in Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil, were randomly selected and assigned to two different education strategies: group education (54 subjects) and individual education (50 subjects). Group education comprised three monthly sessions, which involved play and interactive dynamics. In parallel, a second group received individual education. Subjects were follow up for six months during 2006 and they were evaluated using specifi c questionnaires: knowledge of diabetes, psychological attitudes, change in behavior, quality of life. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline, three and six months of intervention. RESULTS:Mean age was 60.6 years. The results of group and individual education were similar in the assessment tests of attitude, change of behavior and quality of life. A reduction in HbA1c levels was seen in both groups, but a statistically signifi cant difference (p=0.012) was found only in the group education.CONCLUSIONS: Both strategies of diabetes education were effective, however, group education was more effective than individual education for blood glucose control.

RESUMO:O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as características sociodemográficas e a sua relação com os conhecimentos gerais, atitudes em diabetes, autogerenciamento dos cuidados e controle metabólico dos indivíduos com diabetes. É um estudo transversal, com uma amostra de 105 indivíduos com diabetes tipo 2, atendidos em ambulatório de referência. Os dados foram coletados mediante entrevistas e avaliados por questionários específicos, em 2006. Os resultados apresentaram, em sua maioria, pessoas do sexo feminino, na faixa etária acima dos 60 anos e escolaridade abaixo de 4 anos. Os testes de atitudes, autocuidado da doença, níveis de hemoglobina glicada e índice de massa corporal não apresentaram diferenças significativas em relação ao sexo, à idade e nível de escolaridade. Concluiu-se a importância de identificar os fatores sociodemográficos e clínico ao se estabelecer o programa educativo em diabetes direcionado às necessidades do indivíduo, visando aumentar a adesão ao tratamento, controle da doença e retardo/prevenção de suas complicações. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Educação em saúde; Autocuidado; Diabetes mellitus. SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES AND ITS RELATION TO SELF-CAREABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to analyze the diabetic patients' demographic characteristics and their relationship with their knowledge and attitudes toward diabetes, self-management of care and metabolic control. It is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 105 individuals with type 2 diabetes treated at a reference clinic. Data were collected through interviews and evaluated by specific questionnaires, in 2006. Results showed mostly females, aged over 60 years, and with less than 4 years of schooling. The tests of attitudes, self-care for the disease, HbA1c and BMI did not differ significantly in relation to gender, age and educational level. In conclusion, the importance of identifying the socio demographic and clinical when establishing a diabetes education program focused on individual needs was stressed, in order to increase adherence to treatment, disease control and delay / prevention of complications. KEYWORDS: Health education; Self care; Diabetes mellitus. ANÁLISIS SOCIODEMOGRÁFICO Y CLÍNICO DE INDIVIDUOS CON DIABETES TIPO 2 Y SU RELACIÓN CON EL AUTOCUIDADO RESUMEN:El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las características socio-demográficas y su relación con los conocimientos generales, actitudes en diabetes, auto-gerenciamiento de los cuidados y control metabólico de los individuos con diabetes. Se trata de un estudio transversal, con una muestra de 105 individuos con diabetes tipo 2, atendidos en ambulatorio de referencia. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas y evaluados por cuestionarios específicos, en 2006. Los resultados presentaron, en su mayoría, personas de sexo femenino, en la faja etaria encima de 60 años y de escolaridad debajo de 4 años. Las pruebas de actitudes, auto-cuidado de la enfermedad, niveles de hemoglobina glicosilada e índice de masa corporal no prese...

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