Diabetic self care practices in rural Mysuru, Southern Karnataka, India - A need for Diabetes Self Management Educational (DSME) program

Abstract

Context: Diabetes and its complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Self care has emerged as a crucial element in the management of diabetes and a key factor associated with the quality of diabetic care.

Aims: The purpose of the study was to assess the self care activities of patients with Type II diabetes mellitus in a rural area of Mysuru district.

Settings and design: A community based cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among 400 diabetic patients in rural Mysore.

Methods and material: Self care Activities (Diet, exercise, self blood glucose monitoring, medication, foot care, smoking) were assessed using a pre designed and tested questionnaire.

Statistical analysis used: Relevant descriptive analysis like percentages is carried out using SPSS version 22.0.

Results: Most of the diabetic patients had good compliance for medication (92.5%), followed by 72% for diabetic diet. Only 27.75% of the diabetic patients participated in walking, 24.25% practised foot care, blood glucose monitoring by 24.75% and only 25.5% of them were current smokers.

Conclusions: The rural diabetic patients are more adherent and compliant to medication and diabetic diet and less compliant to physical activity, foot care and self glucose monitoring.

Keywords: Diabetes; Rural mysore; Self care; South India.