Background

Self-care involves all decisions that individuals, families take for their health, particularly their own physical and mental well-being. Staying fit, exercising, avoiding hazardous behavior etc. will all compound to self-care. 

Aim

This study aims to find the pattern of self-care management practices in patients with Diabetes.

Methods 

A cross-sectional study was done in registered villages of Rural Health Training Centre and 316 population was covered. All patients of the selected non  communicable diseases above 18 years of age were selected who gave their consent. Self-care practice assessment was done by including Diabetes specific section including SDSCA measure - Summary of Diabetes Self- Care Activities Questionnaire. 

Results and conclusions

The findings showed that the prevalence of self-care practices in patients with diabetes was not very high. Slightly more than 50% of diabetics were following good levels of self-care practices. Individual levels of self-care practices like medication, physical activity/ exercise, adequate diet, risky behaviors of tobacco intake and alcohol consumption, monitoring blood pressure/ blood sugar/ symptoms of COPD, weight management, etc. showed varied prevalence. Mostly the patients with any non-communicable disease were found adherent to their medications. In patients of diabetes; age group, presently attending any health facility for disease management and receiving health care providers advice for lifestyle modifications were associated significantly with self-care practices.

Key Words: 

SDSCA, Diabetes, Self care