Factors Influencing Self-Care Behaviors among

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with poor glycaemic control, and it is a public health concern in Yemen. Recently, due to conflict situation in Yemen there are shortage of health care services and medication. Self-care behaviors represent cost effective intervention in the diabetes care management. Aim of Study: Investigate the factors influencing self-care behaviors among type II diabetic patients in Yemen. Methodology: A total of 344 type II DM patients were enrolled in a face to face interview administrated questionnaire which was guided by modified Summary of Self- Care Activities measure, as well as it studied knowledge level, sociodemographic, clinical characteristics of the participants and respondents’ perspective for the main barriers to practice self-care during conflict situation in Yemen. Results: Only 28.5% of participants had good self-care practice, 42.6% fair and 29.4% poor, the highest self-care behavior score was taking medications while testing blood glucose was the lowest. A significant association was identified between self-care behaviors and participant age, gender, income status, diabetes duration, owning glucometer, following meal plan and level of knowledge related to diabetes. Conclusion: Diabetes self-care behaviors was inadequate among type II diabetic patients in Yemen which emphasizes the role of health care providers to support patients with required knowledge and skills to improve their health outcome.