Evaluation of Self-efficacy in Diabetic Patients Referring to Babol Healthcare Center, Iran, in 2016

Diabetes mellitus is a disease, which requires self-management. Self-efficacy is an essential factor for affecting self-care behaviors in diabetic patients. The patients who enjoy higher self-efficacy can better manage their care. Regarding this, the aim of the current study was to determine the level of self-efficacy in the diabetic patients referring to a healthcare center in Babol, Iran, in 2016..
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 diabetic patients referring to the Siahkola Rural Healthcare Center in Babol. The study population was selected by simple random sampling method. Data collection was performed using the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale that was filled out through the implementation of interviews with patients. The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 22) using the independent t-test and ANOVA at the significance level of 0.05.
The mean age of the participants was 56.75±11.48 years. In addition, the patients had the mean self-efficacy of 52.64±9.61. Based on the results of the ANOVA and t-test, self-efficacy showed a significant relationship with the age (P=0.001), gender (P=0.002), level of education (P=0.001), occupation (P=0.001), marital status (P=0.047), body mass index (P=0.029), type of diabetes (P=0.001), sports (P=0.001), and diet (P=0.002). Moreover, the males, those with higher education levels, employees, and single people had a higher mean self-efficacy score.
As the findings indicated, self-efficacy was at a moderate level among the participants. Therefore, given the significance of self-efficacy as the most important determinant of self-care behaviors among the diabetic patients, this construct should be promoted and emphasized in educational programs.