PERSPECTIVA DE ADOLESCENTES QUE VIVEM COM DIABETES MELLITUS ACERCA DO AUTOCUIDADO

Abstract

Background: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, is characterized as an autoimmune disease with significant numbers of affected children and adolescents. Adolescence is permeated by innumerable discoveries, along with this, adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus need to adapt to the daily life of living with the care routine imposed by chronic disease. With this, knowledge about how adolescents develop self-care becomes relevant. Objective: to know how adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus develop self-care. Methods: this study is a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research. Data collection took place in a teaching hospital in the southern region of Brazil, at the pediatric outpatient clinic. Participants were adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus, aged between 12 and 18 years old. There were 14 interviews. The interviews were transcribed and submitted to thematic content analysis, according to Braun and Clarke (2006). Results: From the analysis, the following themes emerged: “Perception of self-care”; "Changes in lifestyle habits" and "Physical exercise practice", being grouped in the thematic category: "Self-care of adolescents living with Diabetes Mellitus". Conclusions: adolescents perceive self-care as the daily activities they perform and have autonomy in carrying it out.