Association between self-care activities and glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Northwest Ethiopia general hospitals : a multicenter cross-sectional study

Diabetes self-care activities are essential for achieving optimal glycemic control. However, little investigation has been conducted in Ethiopia to evaluate the relationship between the rate glycemic controland self-care activities among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, this study was conducted to assess self -care activities and their association with glycemic control among patients with T2DM in Northwest Ethiopia general hospitals. This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in Northwest Ethiopia general hospitals diabetic clinics. Diabetes self-care activities were measured using the Amharic version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA-Amharic). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were used to assess the rate of glycemic control. A linear regression model was used to identify predictors of self-care activities and glycemic control. P-value of < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval (CI) was considerd as statistically significant. Of 413 participants included in the final analysis, two-thirds (66.3%) had poor glycemic control, with a mean HbA1c of 7.94% (SD = 1.75). Blood glucose testing was the most important self-care activity domain for predicting better glycemic control [beta=-0.36, 95% CI (-0.48, -0.24); P = 0.0001] followed by diet [beta=-0.29, 95% CI (-0.39, -0.083); P = 0.0001], foot-care [beta=-0.28, 95% CI (-0.3, -0.061); P = 0.003], and physical activity [beta=-0.27, 95% CI (-0.29, -0.056); P = 0.004], respectively. Moreover, unable to read and write [beta = 0.72, 95% CI (0.57, 3.8); P = 0.037], overweight [beta = 0.32, 95% CI (0.011, 0.62); P = 0.042], obesity [beta = 0.67, 95% CI (0.39, 0.94); P = 0.0001], and low level of medication adherence [beta = 0.7, 95% CI (0.39, 1.1); P = 0.0001] were significant predictors of poor glycemic control. Previous diabetes education [beta=-0.88, 95% CI (-1.2, -0.57); P=0.0001] was a significant predictor of good glycemic control. The prevalence of poor glycemic control and poor self-care activities were high among patients with T2DM. Self-care activities were independent predictors of glycemic control among patients with T2DM. Therefore, management interventions for patients with T2DM should focus on improving self-care activities and other predictor variables.