GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

Self-care practice is very essential in the control of diabetes mellitus among diabetic adults at home and in the Hospital, self- care practice is individual decision to look after individual’s own health efficiently. The study aimed to examine self-care practices, asses the practices of diabetes mellitus control and examine to factors influencing self-care practices and control of diabetes mellitus among diabetes among diabetes adults in General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, as no such research has been carried out in the area. The study design that was employed is descriptive survey. Sample for the study comprised a total of 121 adult diabetic patients, selected from 174 (37 inpatients and 137 out-patients) receiving treatment at the hospital through random sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire with a reliability of 0.96 and analysis using chart frequencies and percentages. The hypothesis was tested using chi-square analysis. The Results of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents practice self-care and control of diabetes mellitus properly, with over 79.2% always monitoring their blood glucose level. Lack of money, lack of time to perform regular exercise, lack of support and high penchant for food were factors affecting self-care practice and control of diabetes mellitus. Also, a significant relationship was observed between self-care practice and control of diabetes mellitus. Based on the findings it was recommended that hospital managements, health workers including nurses in general should strategize towards educating married men and women about the importance of proper self-care and control of diabetes mellitus.