Diabetes self-care practice and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in public hospitals of Tigray regional state, Ethiopia: A multicenter study

Background The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing steadily at an alarming rate. Ethiopia is placed fourth among the top five countries of the African region members of the international diabetes federation. This study aimed to determine the level of diabetes self-care practice and associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending public hospitals of the Tigray region. Methods An institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in six selected hospitals of Tigray region from January to February 2020. Study participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling method. Diabetes self-care practice was assessed using Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) assessment tool. The data were collected by trained nurses via face-to-face interview. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with self-care practices. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results A total of 570 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in this study. The mean (SD) age of the participant was 46 (+/- 14.6) years. Less than half (46.7%) of the participants had good diabetes self-care practices. Surprisingly, only 68 (11.9%) of the participants had access to a personal glucometer. Urban residency (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.20-2.94), age group 48-63 years (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.19-3.98), not having a formal education (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.32-5.25), having family support (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.24-2.85), and having a personal glucometer at home (AOR = 6.1, 95% CI = 2.83-13.0) were the factors associated with good diabetes self-care practices. Conclusion The diabetes self-care practice in the region was found to be poor. Where factors like, being an urban resident, age group between 49-63 years, not having a formal education, and having a personal glucometer at home were associated with good self-care practices. Health care providers might have to consider actions to act on the identified factors and improve the level of self-care practices of the patients.