Assessment of Diabetes Self-Care Practices Among Patients at a Military Hospital in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional...

This study aimed to evaluate diabetes self-care behaviors among patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes attending Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ).

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between June and September 2025. Adults (≥18 years) with a confirmed diabetes diagnosis for at least six months were recruited, excluding those with severe psychiatric conditions, cognitive impairment, or incomplete responses. Participants completed the DSMQ and a demographic/clinical questionnaire. The DSMQ evaluates four domains: glucose management, dietary control, physical activity, and healthcare use, with higher scores indicating better self-management.

Among 130 participants, 53.1% were female, and 58.5% were aged <40 years. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes were nearly evenly represented. Most participants had a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m² and suboptimal glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7%). Overall, DSMQ scores were moderate, indicating room for improvement. Physical activity scores were slightly higher in type 2 diabetes (p = 0.042), while other subscales and total scores showed no significant differences across diabetes type, age, gender, BMI, duration, or HbA1c levels. Higher BMI was associated with increased healthcare engagement (p = 0.023).

Self-management behaviors among this cohort were generally consistent across demographic and clinical subgroups, with modest differences in physical activity and healthcare use. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance diabetes self-care, optimize glycemic control, and reduce complications in the Saudi population.