Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Backgrounds and Objectives: diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder and is a major public health problem in the world. Patient participation in treatment of disease is one of the most effective factors in the control of disease. The present study aimed to determine Self Care Behaviors of Diabetic Patients.

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 250 patients who referred to the diabetes association of Qom in the age range of 17-75 years after at least one year from their diabetes diagnosis were selected using a simple sampling method. Data was collected by means of SDSCA (summary of diabetes self care activities) questionnaire as in-person interview. The questionnaire consists of two parts of demographic characteristics and self care behaviors questions. Data analysis performed using t-test and Pearson correlation test, p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: Among studied patients, 96.4% had type 2 diabetes. The mean score of self-care behavior in patients with diabetes was 46.53±10.61. There was a significant relationship between fasting blood glucose and self care (p=0.008), physical activity and fasting blood glucose (p=0.001) level of education and self care (p=0.02).

Conclusion: Considering the result of this study, diabetes is one of the most important and complicated diseases that annually imposes heavy costs on patients. Therefore, necessary planning should be performed to continue education about self-care behavior of diabetes, its complications and ways of coping.