Determinants of poor glycemic control among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma zone, south west Ethiopia: a case control study

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: In 2015 approximately 5.0 million people were estimated to have died from diabetes. Poor glycemic control is the most determinant of diabetes-related complication and death. The percentage of patients whose blood glucose level are not well controlled remains high yet. The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of poor glycemic control at the diabetes clinic of the Jimma University Medical Center from April 01 to June 30/2017. METHODS: Facility-based case-control study design was conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on follow-up at the diabetes clinic of Jimma University medical center. The consecutive sampling technique was employed and data were collected from April to June 2017. The data were entered using Epidata manager version 4.0.2 and exported to SPSS Version 21 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed and variables with the p-value of less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant determinants of poor glycemic control. RESULT: The study was conducted on 410 patients, of which 228 males and 182 females. The determinants of poor glycemic control were comorbidities [Adjusted odd ratio(AOR) = 2.56, 95%CI = 1.10–5.96], lack of self-monitoring blood glucose [AOR = 3.44,95%CI = 1.33–8.94], total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dl or more [AOR = 3.62, 95%CI = 1.46–8.97], diabetes duration of greater than 7 years [AOR = 3.08, 95%CI = 1.33–7.16], physical activity of three or less than three days [AOR = 4.79, 95%CI = 1.70–13.53], waist to hip ratio of 0.9 or greater for male and 0.85 or greater for female [AOR = 3.52, 95%CI = 1.23–10.11], being on metformin plus insulin [AOR = 9.22, 95%CI = 2.90–29.35] and being on insulin [AOR = 4.48, 95%CI = 1.52–13.16]. CONCLUSION: Lack of Self-monitoring blood glucose, presence of comorbidities, duration of diabetes mellitus, physical activity of three or less than three days, total cholesterol of 200 mg/dl or more, waist to hip ratio of 0.9 or greater for male and 0.85 or greater for female, and types of antidiabetic medication were the independent predictors of poor glycemic control. Effort should be made towards reducing these factors by the concerned body.