Beliefs and practices in diabetes care

Diabetes mellitus is considered a chronic non-communicable disease with high morbidity, presents to its high prevalence, social, family, and economic costs. Interventions aimed at life-style changes are fundamental in managing; due to this, patients must receive education. The aim of the study was to identify the beliefs and practices of the persons with diabetes mellitus, to propose nurse care according to these precepts. This was a descriptive study of systematic literature review, searching for articles in databases, Springer Science, Elsevier, ProQuest, Science Direct, Index, Pubmed, SciELO, Medigraphic, and Medline during 2016 to 2018, published between 2001 and 2018, in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. A total of 49 studies were contributing to fulfilling the objective. Within the beliefs for the management of disease, is the use of herbs, some consider as cause "fright"; Others take into account risk factors such as heredity, obesity, poor eating habits. Various beliefs are presented in relation to insulin treatment. Spirituality is emphasized; seeking refuge in God and prayer. Is important to understand the person, from their values, beliefs, customs and feelings. Education is a fundamental tool to control the disease, but health beliefs must be taken into account in order to achieve favorable results.