Situational diagnosis of older adults with diabetes mellitus in a city in the state of Ceará, Brazil

Abstract Objective: To describe the situational diagnosis of older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) registered at a Basic Family Health Unit, using sociodemographic profile, health conditions and lifestyle. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with 70 older adults in the city of Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Ceará, Brazil. Data were gathered from questionnaires on sociodemographic conditions, health and individual lifestyle profile, and were submitted to descriptive statistics techniques, and the results presented in tables. Results: The predominance of women was three times greater than men (52=74%); the mean age was 71.19 years (±7.12); the number of married people was higher than the other categories (44=62.8%); the vast majority of the sample received a pension equivalent to the minimum wage as a rural worker (64=91%); and just over half declared themselves to be literate (36=51.4%). In terms of health conditions, the majority (56=80%) had had DM for more than 10 years, although they considered their health status to be satisfactory (40=57.14%). Among the main complications were hypertension (n=53; 75.71%), muscle and joint pain (n=43; 61.43%) and hearing loss (48=68.57%). Conclusion: The present study provided indicators for the planning and execution of educational actions, based on interprofessional collaboration aimed at the promotion of health.