The prevalence and predictors of self-care behaviours among type 2 diabetic patients in two Iraqi provinces

Background
The link between health beliefs and health behaviours, which includes changing diet, exercise, regular self-medication, self-monitoring of blood glucose, investigation and examination programmes, helps in raising the level of social health awareness, as well as focuses on the individual’s role in being responsible for his health.

Objectives
To evaluate self-care activities among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Wasit and Dhi-Qar provinces.

Material and methods
This analytic cross-sectional study was directed at patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus. The sample was collected from patients who visited Diabetes and Endocrinology centres in the Wasit and Dhi-Qar provinces. Data was collected via a questionnaire based on the “Arabic Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities” (A-SDSCA), which consisted of questions related to self-management.

Results
The results were based on the analysis of 404 samples of patients previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Only 75 (18.6%) had controlled blood glucose. The best self-care practice was diet, with a mean score ± SD (3.17 ± 2.43), followed by testing blood sugar (2.83 ± 2.19). The most frequent advice received from health givers was to follow a meal plan with low-fat contents, which was mentioned by 90.6% of the patients. The participants with the lowest educational level were less likely to undertake appropriate self-management for diabetes (p = 0.026).

Conclusions
The educational level was the significant predictor of self-care behaviours among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is necessary to increase health education to manage diabetes and change lifestyle through healthcare organisations, as well as through the use of social media.