Abstract:
Objective: Diabetes, a rising global health problem, requires continuous self-care practice. There are limited studies
about self-care practice, and most of the studies conducted in Ethiopia focused on some parts of the recommended
self-care practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess diabetes self-care practice and associated factors among
diabetic patients attending at University of Gondar Referral Hospital, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.
Results: The study revealed that 51.86% (95% CI 46.95–56.72%) of the patients have poor self-care practice. Unable
to read and write (AOR=3.36; 95% CI 1.42–7.90), primary level of education (AOR=2.62; 95% CI 1.20–5.70), living in
rural area (AOR=3.33; 95% CI 1.61–6.88), having strong social support (AOR=0.31; 95% CI 0.15–0.62), having diabetes
related complication (AOR=2.20; 95% CI 1.12–4.30), and poor socio-economic status (AOR=2.16; 95% CI 1.17–3.98)
were factors significantly associated with poor self-care practice of patients with diabetes. The study indicates that the
prevalence of poor self-care practice was high. Education, residence, socio-economic status, complication and social
support were significantly associated with poor self-care practice. Therefore, strategies should be developed to support patients with information, glucometer, and enhance patient’s social support
