SELF-CARE PRACTICES AMONG DIABETICS OF URBAN ROHTAK, HARYANA- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is fast gaining the status of a potential epidemic in India. Globally 463 million people are affected by the disease. As it is a chronic disease in which the patient benefits from self-management. Self-care practices refers to the individuals ability to manage the symptoms, treatment, physical and psychological consequences and life-style changes inherent in living with a chronic condition. Aim: To study the self-care practices and factors influencing them among Urban Diabetics. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive community-based study was conducted among diabetics in the urban field practice area looked after by department of community medicine, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana. Assuming the prevalence of self-care practices (exercise) to be 29% and allowable error of 15%, the sample size was 435. So, a total of 500 subjects were included. Results: Out of 500 respondents, 44.6% were males and 55.4% females. In the domain of diet, 45% followed a healthy eating plan in last seven days of the week, 9% incorporated fruits/vegetables in the diet on all days of the week, 89% did not consume high fat food or full-fat dairy products and 38% spaced carbohydrate evenly throughout the day on all days of the week. 34% had a good practice of participation in at least 30 minutes of physical activity and 8% participated in specific exercise sessions. Regarding blood sugar testing, only 3% of study participants had a good practice of checking their blood sugar regularly. In the domain of foot care, 14% checked their feet, 6% inspected the inside of shoe, 99% washed their feet regularly and 86% dried in between their toes after washing their feet. 52% of study participants took their recommended diabetes medication regularly, 8% took their insulin injections regularly and 46% regularly took their diabetes pills. Conclusion: The socio-demographic variables had an influencing impact on the self-care practices of the study participants. The better the self-care practices amongst the study participants, the healthier the outcome and they can lead a better life averting the complications associated with the disease.