Survey Self-care behaviors among diabetic patients

Background: Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders in the world and its prevalence has an upward trend, so that it is called as the silent epidemic . This biochemical disorder is characterized by hyperglycemia, impaired metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and accompanied by absolute or relative insulin deficiency of the body. The objective of this study is determining self-care behaviors among diabetic patients. Material & Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was done on 150 patients referred to Razi hospital in Rasht, Iran. Data collected using Diabetes Self Care Questionnaire plus a questionnaire containing questions about demographic and disease history. Data were analyzed by Chi-Square and T-test by means of SPSS. Results: There was significant difference between mean scores of self-care behavior in patients with foot neuropathy p=0/042 . Most of patients %95 have an optimum self-care behavior. There was not any significant different between self-care behavior with any of variables of sex, age, smoking, obesity, job and foot ulcer lesions . Conclusion: The present study showed that there was a significant relationship between self-care behavior and foot neuropathy. Therefore self-care behaviors must be reinforced and promoted in these patients.