Self-care practice and its predictors among adults with diabetes mellitus on follow up at public hospitals of Arsi zone, southeast Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness that requires ongoing patient self-management and support to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long- term complications. The objective of the study was to assess diabetic self-care practice and its predictors among adults with diabetes mellitus on follow up at hospitals of Arsi zone, southeast Ethiopia. RESULTS: Above half (53.3%) of diabetic patients had good self-care practice. Younger age (AOR: 8.95, 95% CI 1.89,42.48), earning a high income (AOR: 2.495, 95% CI 1.0,5.85), having a family history of diabetes (AOR: 4.5, 95% CI 1.3, 15.5), long duration since the diagnosis of diabetes (AOR: 2.14,95% CI 1.127,4.05), not having diabetic complications (AOR: 3.87, 95% CI 2, 7.48), and having glucometer (AOR: 4.08, 95% CI 1.78 l, 9.33) were significantly associated factors with good diabetic self care practice. Efforts should be made to prevent complications of diabetes mellitus, to support patients who are aged and who have no glucometer at their home to promote good self-care practice. Particularly, health care providers should give special attention to newly diagnosed patients.