Self-Care Knowledge and Self-Care Activities of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Thai Nguyen Province, Viet Nam

Purpose: The study was conducted to investigate the status self-care knowledge and self-care activities of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 408 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Thai Nguyen National Hospital through a questionnaire to assess Self-care Knowledge (DSCK-30) and Self-care activities in people with diabetes mellitus (SDSCA). Findings: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had good self-care knowledge; the mean total score of knowledge was 21.20 ± 5.25 out of 30 scores. Self-care knowledge scores ranged from 7 to 30. The percentage of patients with self-care knowledge was still low, accounting for 53.9%. The highest percentage of patients who performed good self-care behaviors (from 5 to 7 days) was physical activity (88.0%) and the lowest was blood glucose level testing (2.7%); the rates of patients who followed the diet well, took care of their feet, and adhered to medication was 62.3%, 17.6%; and 13.0%, respectively. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study has proven that people with diabetes mellitus had low self-care knowledge and self-care activities in many areas. Therefore, health workers need to personalize in counseling, health education, and provide knowledge and self-care activities of people with diabetes mellitus.