PROPER DIABETIC SELF-CARE PRACTICES AND AFFECTING FACTORS AMONG TYPE TWO DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS ATTENDING DIABETIC CENTRE IN TAIF CITY, 2019

Introduction: Diabetes is a long-term condition that can be managed but not cured. The medications can help to alleviate symptoms and delay the disease's progression and complications. Effective diabetes self-management has long been recognized as critical to maintaining good glycaemic control and avoiding diabetic complications. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted to investigate self-care practice activities among patients with T2DM attending diabetic centers in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 330 patients were included in this study; most of them (65.5%) were males and with a mean age (52 ± 15). The mean duration of DM is (10 ± 9), mean Hb1AC was (8 ± 2.3), and the mean fasting blood sugar was (146 ± 44). The highest mean overall score was recorded among soldiers (4.44 ± 1.73) and students (3.77 ± 2.58), while the lowest score was found among those working in business (2.38 ± 0.97), and this association was statistically significant (P=0.000). Conclusion: This study reflected relatively poor diabetic self-care practice among patients with T2DM in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Regarding the overall SDSCA score, male participants, younger participants, Saudi participants, undergraduate/ postgraduate students, those with family support for taking diabetic medication, those with no chronic conditions, no diabetic complications, and those who use diet treatment only were reported to have the best general self-care management.