, vol. 77, pp. 127-134, 2014.
Objective: To assess the relationship between self care practices among diabetic patients and their diabetes control.
Subjects and Method: A total of 400 diabetic patients who were registered at two primary health care centers in Abha City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were interviewed within the period from 1/8/20011 to 31/8/2011. Self-care practices of diabetic patients were assessed using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA). Biochemical laboratory inves-tigations were assessed, including plasma levels of fasting blood glucose.
Results: Most patients were type 2 diabetics (93.8%). Almost half of patients had poor fasting blood glucose control (47.8%), while 27.8% were managed by insulin. The mean scores for all components of practiced diabetes self-care activities were considerably low. The highest mean scores for diabetes self-care activities were foot care and specific diet (3.4±2.1 and 2.4±1.3, respectively). Younger diabetic patients tend to have significantly better mean scores for diabetes self-care. Male diabetic patients had significantly better mean scores for diabetes self-care as regard the items of general diet (p=0.01) and exercise (p<0.001). On the other hand, female diabetic patients had significantly better mean scores for diabetes self-care as regard the item of foot care (p=0.003). Generally, better educated diabetic patients have significantly better mean scores for diabetes self-care. Diabetic patients who had university education attained the highest mean scores for all self-care activities compared with illiterate or school-educated (i.e., primary, intermediate or secondary) patients. Differences were statistically significant for all items, except specific diet. Non-smoker diabetic patients have better mean scores for all diabetes self-care activities. However, differences were statistically significant only for the item of “exercise”. Type 1 diabetic patients have significantly better mean scores for diabetes self-care activities for the items of general diet (p<0.001), specific diet (p=0.007) and blood glucose (p<0.001). Patients with less duration of disease had significantly better mean scores for diabetes self-care activities for the items of exercise (p=0.020) and blood glucose (p=0.007). Patients with good control of diabetes had significantly better mean scores for all items of diabetes self-care activities except the item of “exercise”.
Conclusions: All components of practiced diabetes self-care activities are considerably low. Younger, male non-married educated patients have better self-care activities. Non-smoker patients have better mean scores for all self-care activities. Type 1 diabetic patients have better self-care activities. Patients with good control of diabetes have better diabetes self-care activities.
Recommendations: Health education for diabetes self-care activities need to be enforced. Points of insufficiency as regard diabetes self-care activities should be investigated and corrected. Continuing medical education for PHC providers should include and emphasize the education of diabetic patients on self-care activities.
