Poor Glycemic Control and Its Contributing Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Adama Hospital Medical College in East Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Poor glycemic control is a major public health issue among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a significant risk factor for the progression of diabetic complications. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and contributing factors of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at Adama Hospital Medical College (AHMC) in East Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at AHMC from March 1 to 30, 2020. All type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at AHMC and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and reviewing the patient chart. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. The level of significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05. RESULTS: Of the 245 type 2 diabetes patients included in the study, 157 (64.1%) had poor glycemic control. The factors associated with poor glycemic control were being male (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI [1.24–4.21]), not attending formal education (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI [1.53–6.35]), monthly income of <136 USD (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI [1.17–3.91]), overweight (AOR = 2.60, 95% CI [1.32–5.10]) and obesity (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI [1.44–8.21]), and chewing khat (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.04–7.33]). CONCLUSION: The proportion of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients at AHMC was remarkably high. Therefore, more effort should be taken to strengthening and disseminating health education programs for diabetes patients at each follow-up visit on the importance of achieving optimal body weight, avoiding khat chewing, and maintaining regular physical exercise to prevent and mitigate the complications resulting from poor glycemic control.