Self-Management, Self-Efficacy, and Glycemic Control Among Adults With T2DM in the West Bank: A Descriptive Study

T2DM Mellitus is a complex chronic disease that affects adults of any age. Diabetes self-management and self-efficacy are associated with glycemic control.

To assess self-management, self-efficacy, and glycemic control and their relationship in adults with T2DM in the West Bank.

A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. A convenience sample of 154 patients was obtained from the primary health directorate's diabetes clinics in Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate, West Bank.

The mean diabetes self-management score was 5.75 (SD = 1.49), with most participants demonstrating low self-management ability (n = 110, 71%). Participants also reported low perceived diabetes self-efficacy, with a mean score of 44.56 (SD = 9.45). Glycemic indicators reflected suboptimal control, with a mean Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 8.7% (SD = 1.62) and a mean fasting blood glucose of 175.43 mg/dL (SD = 73.43). Self-management was significantly negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.165, p = 0.041) and HbA1c (r = -0.209, p < 0.01), while showing a significant positive correlation with diabetes management self-efficacy (r = 0.576, p < 0.01).

Diabetes self-efficacy and self-management were significantly linked to better glycemic control and improved diabetes outcomes. The use of tablets as the only treatment regimen was associated with significant improvement in glycemic control. Fasting blood sugar may serve as a predictor of long-term glycemic changes and support early diagnosis and screening. In addition, body mass index significantly influences diabetes self-management, self-efficacy, and glycemic control.