The Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Self-care Behaviors of Type ۲ Diabetic Patients Referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Birjand, Iran

Background: One of the most important ways to control diabetes is through self-care behaviors and increased self-efficacy of patients. This study aimed to determine knowledge, self-care, and self-efficacy in patients with type ۲ diabetes in Birjand city.   Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on ۱۰۰ patients. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed in three parts including knowledge questions, self-efficacy questions, and questions about self-care behavior. Data were analyzed by SPSS۲۰ software using descriptive analysis, one way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis test.   Results: The mean score of knowledge was ۱۶/۴۷±۵/۶۷. Thirty-five percent of the subjects had appropriate, and ۱۹% had inadequate knowledge. The mean scores of self-efficacy and self-care were ۱۳۸.۱۷±۵۲.۵۹ and ۵۵.۱۵±۲۱.۴۵, respectively. Correlation test results showed a significant relationship between self-efficacy and knowledge (P=۰.۰۰۷), self-care and knowledge (P=۰.۰۰۲), as well as self-efficacy and self-care behaviors (P≤۰.۰۰۱). The highest level of significance was observed between self-efficacy and self-care.   Conclusion: In order to improve the health of diabetic patients, attention should be paid to patients' knowledge about diabetes, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors. It is also necessary to plan educational training in this field and to identify the barriers which prevent self-care.