Self-Care Activities Among Diabetic Patients in an Urban Health Centre in Thirumazhisai, Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Diabetes is a long-term medical condition characterized by consistently high blood glucose levels, which can be attributed to both genetic and environmental factors. Global diabetes prevalence is predicted to reach 10.4% by 2040, impacting over 642 million people. Diabetes is becoming more common in India; by 2030, an estimated 87 million individuals are predicted to have the disease. Self-care activities are essential for managing diabetes, yet adherence to these practices is often low in developing countries like India due to socioeconomic, cultural, and healthcare barriers. Objective In this study, the self-care practices of diabetic patients who visited an Urban Health Center in Thirumazhisai, Tamil Nadu, were assessed, along with the factors influencing these practices. Methods A three-month cross-sectional study was conducted in a facility with 200 type 2 diabetic patients who had been unwell, for a minimum of a year. The participants were selected via purposeful sampling, and interviews were conducted using the most recent version of the Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) to discover connections between the duration of diabetes and self-care practices using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results The study found that 136 (68%) of participants tested their blood sugar levels at least once in the preceding three months, 104 (52%) exercised for at least 30 minutes each day, and 96 (48%) of individuals maintained a balanced diet. On the other hand, adherence to insulin injections and oral hypoglycemic medications was lower, at 98 (49%) and 79 (39.5%), respectively. Foot hygiene was also not at its best; only 85 (42.5%) people washed their feet daily. Considerable correlations have been shown between the length of diabetes and particular self-care behaviors, including eating patterns, exercise routines, and foot hygiene. Conclusion The results emphasize the necessity of focused interventions, especially in developing nations, to enhance diabetic patients' self-care behaviors. Tailored, patient-centered strategies are essential to address the complex factors influencing diabetes management, ultimately improving glycemic control and patient outcomes.