Self-care practices among type 2 diabetes patients of urban community of coastal city of Uttara Kannada, Karnataka:

Anumukonda V. S. S. R. Chiranjeevi; Abhishek Prayag; Girish H. O.; Hemagiri K.; Manjula M. N.

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263643

Authors

Anumukonda V. S. S. R. Chiranjeevi Department of Community Medicine, Karwar Institute of Medical sciences, Karwar, Karnataka, India
Abhishek Prayag Department of Community Medicine, Karwar Institute of Medical sciences, Karwar, Karnataka, India
Girish H. O. Department of Community Medicine, Karwar Institute of Medical sciences, Karwar, Karnataka, India
Hemagiri K. Department of Community Medicine, Karwar Institute of Medical sciences, Karwar, Karnataka, India
Manjula M. N. Department of Community Medicine, Karwar Institute of Medical sciences, Karwar, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263643

Keywords:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Self-care, Diabetes self-management, DSMQ-R, Primary healthcare

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus requires sustained self-management, including appropriate medication use, dietary regulation, physical activity, glucose monitoring, and engagement with healthcare providers. This study assessed self-care practices among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using the diabetes self-management questionnaire-revised (DSMQ-R).

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 189 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus registered at the Urban Primary Health Centre, Baithkol, Karwar, Karnataka, from July to December 2025. Participants were selected from the non-communicable disease register. Data were collected after informed consent using the DSMQ-R and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression in SPSS version 27.0.

Results: Of the 189 participants, 93.7% were aged >40 years and 63.0% were male. Nearly half (47.1%) had diabetes for 1–5 years, and 27.0% were receiving insulin. Overall, 57.6% demonstrated moderate self-care adherence, 23.2% fair adherence, 14.3% good adherence, and 4.7% poor adherence. Diabetes duration was significantly associated with overall self-care practice scores (χ²=15.854, p=0.045). Overall self-care scores showed significant positive correlations with eating behaviour, medication-taking, glucose monitoring, cooperation with the diabetes care team, and insulin management (all p<0.001). In regression analysis, eating behaviour was the strongest positive predictor (β=0.357, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Most participants demonstrated moderate self-care practices, but important gaps remained in glucose monitoring and insulin management. Structured self-care education and DSMQ-R-based counselling at the primary healthcare level may strengthen diabetes self-management.

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