Self-care assessment among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using summary of diabetes selfcare activities (SDSCA) scale attending NCD clinic of a tertiary care centre.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has become a global burden over the past years. Most of the people are not aware of a proper way of diabetes self-care practices. This study was to assess the self-care practices among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients by attending the NCD clinic of a tertiary healthcare centre. This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study, done in a tertiary care center. Participants were diabetic patients who attended NCD clinic. 100 participants were included in the study. Data collection was by using summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA) scale. Scores were there for different domains of self-care. Total scores ranged from 0 to 14/21/35 depending on the domain. Data collection was by interview method. Data analysis was done in SPSS 16. Mean age of the study population was 60.95 ± 9.5 years. Majority were females. Mean duration of the disease among the study population was 9.45 + 8.37 years, ranging from 1 to 50 years. Highest mean score was observed in foot care in the present study followed by adherence to foot care. Adequate self-care practices were observed in foot care 93%, adherence to medication 90%, diet 46%, exercise 49%, blood sugar monitoring 55%. This study was similar to other studies done in hospital in different parts. Community-based studies showed a difference. This study sheds a light on importance of following a proper healthy diet and also shows that the higher degree of adherence of this population is to medication.