Introduction: Background of study
Problem
The problem of rising cases of diabetes among adolescents has raised concerns within the healthcare sector, in terms of the cost of managing the diseases and its impacts of the health of the young adults. In fact, recent statistics suggests that about 4% of teenagers in the US are suffering from diabetes (Golafshani, 2013). Specifically, there is need to elaborate on the potential impacts of diabetes among adolescents and how the condition can be managed from a policy perspective into realistic implementation. These concerns form the rationale for this study.
Significance to nursing
From a nursing perspective, it is important to establish the potential factors that have contributed to the rise of diabetes among adolescents in order to draw strategies that might rectify the growing concern. Besides, it is important to quantify the effects of diabetes among adolescents to provide the critical data to policy makers on the necessary nursing intervention programs and practices.
Purpose
The purpose of this research paper is to establish the quantifiable effects of diabetes among adolescents in the US.
Objectives, research question, and hypothesis
The objective of the research is to establish the potential relationship between lifestyle and diabetes condition among adolescents. This will shed light on this health concern from a wellness perspective and potential nursing intervention.
The research question is;
What are the effects of diabetes on the adolescent as a health concern?
The research hypothesis is;
Null hypothesis
Diabetes as a health concern has several effects on the wellbeing of adolescents in the US
Alternative hypothesis
Diabetes as a health concern does not have effects on the wellbeing of adolescents in the US
Concepts, phenomena
It is assumed that adolescents in the US are at a high risk of becoming diabetic as a health concern. The paper will attempt to confirm the correctness of this assumption by revealing the underlying effects of the condition on the health of the adolescents.
Methods of study
Qualitative
The researcher opted for qualitative data analysis because the variables to analyze can easily be measured through simple analysis. The research method encompassed data collection, presentation, analysis, interpretation, and validation. The qualitative approach is appropriate in drawing evidence from the research respondents, in terms of their experiences with the interviews and questionnaire (Golafshani, 2013).
Research design
The researcher opted for research survey design which focused on 20 adolescents living with the diabetic condition. The rationale for choosing the research survey was informed by the need to have a subjective and pragmatic approach in answering the research question. Since the respondents are diabetic, the data collected would be valid in exploring the effects of the condition from the victims (Bryman, 2012). The variables used are lifestyle as the independent variable and diabetic condition as the dependent variable. The link in these variables is that lifestyle affects the occurrence and management of diabetic condition in adolescents.
Sample
The researcher targeted 20 adolescents living the diabetes condition. The respondents were randomly picked within a radius of 10 miles within the region of Brooklyn. The researcher selected equal number of respondents in terms of gender. The researcher was careful to verify the existing diabetic condition and age as the underlying requirements to qualify to participate in the study.
Procedures
The researcher opted for direct interview for 8 respondents and questionnaire filling for the other respondents. The respondents were given the questionnaires that were picked after 2 days. Out of the 4 questions, three were close-ended. The Before participation, the researcher gave each respondent a consent letter and an introduction letter from the institution authorizing the study (Golafshani, 2013). The questions that were forwarded to the respondents are;
- I am diabetic and I live a healthy lifestyle.
- Whenever I eat certain foods or live a particular lifestyle, the condition worsens or become more stable.
- I am enrolled in a wellness program as a way of managing my diabetic condition.
- What do you think are the effects of diabetic condition on your health and general wellness?
Results of study
Findings
The response rate was 100%. All the respondents agreed that they are diabetic and living a healthy lifestyle. 80% of the respondents associated the ease of managing the condition to kind of food or lifestyle they indulge in. Only 35% of the respondents are enrolled in a wellness program. The effects of diabetes as identified by the respondents are reduced physical activeness, selective dieting, and constant use of certain prescriptions against their will.
Implications to nursing
The findings suggest that diabetic condition and lifestyle are dependent. Thus, there is need to establish a wellness program to enroll the adolescents as means of managing the condition. This means that nurses can create a program for a holistic education of healthy lifestyle and other strategies of managing the condition.
Findings and nursing knowledge/science
The findings suggest expansion of wellness programs as a policy and other strategies for managing the condition. It would impact all areas of nursing, especially community-based care to manage the health concern.
Ethical Considerations
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. The consent letter assured the respondents of their privacy. The researcher exercised discipline and ensured that information collected from the respondents were coded and protected (Bryman, 2012).
Conclusion
In summary, the findings suggest that there is need for establishment of wellness programs to reach out to the adolescents living with diabetes. Through qualitative research, the findings indicated that diabetes management and lifestyle are dependent. The researcher observed all the ethical conditions of research such as verifying authenticity of the respondents, consent letter, and seeking for permission from authority before the research commenced.
References
Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.
Golafshani, N. (2013). Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report, 8(4), 597-607