Factors influencing self-care behaviours of patients with type 2 diabetes in China based on the health belief model: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to explore the status and predictors of self-care behaviours in patients with type 2 diabetes in China based on the health belief model. DESIGN: The cross-sectional study included 1140 patients aged ≥36 years with type 2 diabetes who had established health records in community health service institutions. A questionnaire was designed based on the health belief model, which mainly included perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, effectiveness, sociodemographic characteristics and self-care behaviours. SETTING: Using a multistage sampling method, 36 villages and communities were randomly selected in China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1260 patients with type 2 diabetes were contacted, but 118 refused to participate in the study. Of the 1142 participants, two were subsequently excluded, and the final number of participants included in the study was 1140 (90.5% response rate). RESULTS: The average score of health beliefs was 0.71 (SD=0.08). The logistic regression analysis showed that sex, region, perceived severity, perceived barriers and perceived benefits were related to self-care behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived severity, benefits and barriers were key factors affecting self-care behaviours in patients with type 2 diabetes; health education for patients should be strengthened to improve the self-care level of patients with diabetes.