Background: This descriptive correlation study was aimed to examine factors related to selfcare practice in asthmatic patients at Rajshahi in Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 126 asthmatic patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected by simple random sampling technique during March to April, 2014. The research instruments consisted of four parts: The Demographic Questionnaire, The Asthmatic Self-Care Practice Questionnaire, The Attitude of Asthmatic Questionnaire, and The Knowledge of Asthmatic Questionnaire. KR-20 for the reliability of Knowledge Questionnaire was yielded at 0.76 and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of Attitude and Self-Care Practice Questionnaire were 0.74 and 0.75 respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Result: The results of the study illustrated that the total mean score of self-care practice in asthmatic patients was 49.63 (S.D = 9.5). The mean total score of attitude was 72.46 (S.D =9.27) and the total mean score of knowledge was 11.80 (S.D = 4.42). There was a moderate positive significant correlation between attitude and self-care practice (r =0.49, p < 0.01). Additionally, there was a moderate positive significant correlation between knowledge and self-care practice (r = 0.30, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings suggested that nurses should conduct health education programs to increase knowledge and promote positive attitude about self-care practice in asthmatic patients. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(1) 2019 p.57-62

Background & Aim: Foot ulceration and amputation have increased significantly among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Proper foot care behavior is an important strategy for reducing the risk of diabetes-related foot issues. The current study aimed to assess foot care behavior and its influencing factors, including self-efficacy, foot care knowledge, and social support, among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have a high-risk diabetic foot in Wenzhou, China. Methods & Materials: This research used a correlational predictive design. In total, 107 participants who were eligible for the study were randomly selected. Five self-reported questionnaires, including the demographic questionnaire, Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, Foot Care Knowledge questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Chinese version of the Nottingham Assessment of Functional Footcare, were utilized. Descriptive statistical and standard multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate data. Results: Approximately 90.7% of participants had poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c≥ 7%), and 95.3% presented with foot deformities. Further, 51.4% of participants reported moderate foot care behavior, and 42.1% had poor foot care behavior. The multiple regression analysis revealed that self-efficacy, foot care knowledge, and social support significantly explained 31.1 % of the variability in foot care behavior. However, self-efficacy could predict foot care behavior (β= .490, p< .001). Conclusion: It is important to improve foot care behavior among patients with type 2 diabetes who have a high-risk diabetic foot. Nursing interventions to enhance foot care behavior should focus on improving self-efficacy and providing foot care education regularly.

Background: In China, the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) continues to rise, and Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) is generally suboptimal. Thus, identifying the factors influencing DSM in adults with T2DM is crucial for healthcare providers. Objectives: This study aimed to 1) describe DSM among adults with T2DM in Wenzhou, China, 2) examine the correlations between diabetes knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, fatalism, social support, and DSM, and 3) determine how much power of the correlated independent variables could predict DSM. Methods: This study adopted the cross-sectional design and included 108 adults with T2DM who were randomly selected from the outpatient clinic of a hospital in Wenzhou, China. Data were recruited using a demographic questionnaire, and standardized tools were utilized to determine the correlation between DSM, diabetes knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, fatalism, and social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results: 62% of participants had poor blood glucose control (HbA1c ≥8.0%) and suboptimal DSM. Significant factors related to DSM were diabetes knowledge (r = 0.594, p <0.001), perceived self-efficacy (r = 0.447, p <0.001), and social support (r = 0.312, p = 0.001). The regression analysis revealed that all variables significantly explained 38.2% of the variance in DSM among adults with T2DM. However, only diabetes knowledge and perceived self-efficacy significantly predicted DSM (β = 0.468, p <0.001; β = 0.184, p = <0.05, respectively). Conclusion: The findings indicated that increasing diabetes knowledge and perceived self-efficacy could help improve DSM in T2DM to ascertain the ultimate treatment outcomes. Nurses and healthcare providers should improve the ability of patients and their families to think critically and act autonomously.

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Background: One of the most prevalent psychological signs of breast cancer is uncertainty, which is more prevalent in Chinese patients during the preoperative period. Despite the numerous factors contributing to preoperative uncertainty, there is limited relevant research conducted in China. Objective: This study aimed to describe the current state of preoperative uncertainty and to investigate the relationship between anxiety, illness perception, social support, and preoperative uncertainty in patients with breast cancer in Wenzhou, China. Methods: This cross-sectional research used a simple random sampling technique to select 122 participants from a university hospital in Wenzhou, China, from July 2022 to December 2022, employing validated instruments. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were utilized to analyze the data. Results: The average preoperative uncertainty scores of the patients fell within a moderate range (M = 61.92, SD = 7.51). Significant correlations were found between anxiety (r = 0.638, p <0.01), illness perception (r = 0.704, p <0.01), social support (r = -0.481, p <0.01), and preoperative uncertainty. Conclusions: The results can assist healthcare professionals, especially nurses, in recognizing the factors contributing to uncertainty before surgery in patients with breast cancer. This knowledge enables them to promptly address and minimize this issue, leading to improved outcomes.