Diabetes self-care management practices among insulin-taking patients

Background: Diabetes self-care management (DSCM) is complex because various factors and relationships influence its processes. Aims: This study aimed to identify the level of DSCM, compare the levels of self care between patients with type 1 and patients with type 2 diabetes, and identify significant predictors of self-care among Jordanian patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who were taking insulin. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using a convenience sample of 310 Jordanian patients. The Arabic translated version of the 40-item Diabetes Self-Management Scale was used to collect data. Results: The type of diabetes (t(310)?4.81; p<.001) and the type of medications (insulin, or insulin and tablets) (t(310)?4.75; p<.001) significantly affected the level of self-care. Age (t(296)?3.41; p?0.001), gender (t(296)?4.78; p<0.001) training in self-care (t(296)?4.30; p<.001), educational level (t(296)?2.81, P?.005) and using traditional treatment (herbal therapy) (t(296)?4.64, p<.001) significantly predicted self-care and explained around 58% of the variance in self-care. Conclusions: Various factors were found to influence self-care. Further research is needed to explore the complex nature of DSCM. Keywords diabetes,