Abstract

GARCIA GONZALEZ, Rosario; GARCIA CASTRO, Marlene; SUAREZ PEREZ, Rolando  and  DOMINGUEZ ALONSO, Emma. Working problems related to a group of persons with diabetes mellitus. Rev Cubana Endocrinol [online]. 2009, vol.20, n.3, pp. 89-103. ISSN 1561-2953.

INTRODUCTION: diabetes mellitus can affect working activities as well as different aspects of working activities can difficult the accomplishment of diabetes treatment requirements. Nevertheless there are not enough papers on the matter and the purpose of this study was to identify possible difficulties affronting by a group of people with diabetes to develop working activities. OBJETIVES: to determine the frequency of working difficulties acknowledged by the group, to characterize difficulties found, and to identify opinions on the relationship between diabetes and working activities. METHODS: the universe was formed by patients admitted in the daily service of Diabetes Care Center from september to december of 2006 and the sample has included those incorporated to working activities at the moment and those retired in 2005. Surveys and group discussions were used for collecting information. Quantitative data were processed using descriptive statistics, and data of group discussions were processed using the inductive exploratory qualitative method. RESULTS: 25 % of workers and 35 % of retired have recognized some interference between diabetes and working activities. The problems identified were difficulties to accomplish foot requirements (75 %), extension of working day (21.6 %), physical efforts (42.2 %) and a lack of information from managers to understand diabetes situation. All retired people recognized the diabetes mellitus as cause of their decision to have recourse to working retirement. CONCLUSIONS: problems to face the working life was present in workers and retired people. The major problems identified included alimentary requirements, physical efforts, and the extension of working days. The group studied has considered that more information to managers and practical guidance for people with diabetes mellitus could decrease these problems.

Keywords : diabetes mellitus; difficulties on working activities.

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