Nursing Roles in Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Complications among Young Adults :A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder increasingly affecting young adults, posing significant health risks and potentially leading to severe complications or death if left uncontrolled. The challenge of preventing these complications in younger populations is exacerbated by physical and mental disabilities, as well as inadequate self-care management. This study aims to bring new knowledge about the roles of nurses in the prevention of diabetes type 2 complications among young adults, guided by Orem's selfcare deficit nursing theory. A systematic literature review was conducted to address the clinical research question. Applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria 14 studies from a total of 563 studies vetted were selected from databases like Academic Search Elite (EBSCO), CINAHL Complete, and MEDLINE following the PRISMA guidelines. The findings revealed four major themes critical for managing type 2 diabetes in young adults: physical activities, healthy diet, counselling, and pharmacological assistance. The study underscores the vital importance of self-care and the role of nurses in preventing diabetes complications. The research highlights the necessity for further empirical studies focusing on younger patients with type 2 diabetes, due to a scarcity of studies exclusively addressing this demographic.