Determinants of Diabetes Self Management among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Abstract
Diabetes self-management is a fundamental component of effective Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) care. However, successful self-management is influenced by multiple demographic, clinical, psychosocial, and healthcare-related factors that remain incompletely understood when examined independently. This study aimed to identify the determinants of diabetes self-management among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus using an integrated multidimensional framework. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 patients with T2DM recruited from outpatient diabetes clinics between January and April 2026. Data were collected using validated international instruments measuring diabetes self-management, diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, health literacy, diabetes distress, perceived social support, and healthcare-related factors. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29 to identify independent determinants of diabetes self-management. The regression model explained 69.2% of the variance in diabetes self-management. Self-efficacy was identified as the strongest positive determinant, followed by diabetes knowledge, perceived social support, health literacy, patient–provider communication, healthcare accessibility, educational level, age, and diabetes duration. Conversely, higher HbA1c levels and diabetes distress were significantly associated with lower diabetes self-management. Diabetes self-management is influenced by interrelated demographic, clinical, psychosocial, and healthcare-related factors. The study highlights the importance of integrated, patient-centered interventions that enhance self-efficacy, diabetes education, health literacy, psychosocial support, and healthcare accessibility to improve long-term diabetes outcomes. These findings provide evidence for clinicians and policymakers in designing comprehensive diabetes management strategies.