Self-care Practices among Patients with Diabetes in a Primary Care Centre: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: Diabetes is a chronic progressive disease with potential complications. Effective management requires lifestyle modification and active patient self-care along with medical therapy. This study assessed self-care practices among diabetic patients attending a primary care center in Chennai. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an Urban Primary Health Centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A total of 196 diabetic patients (age >30 years, diabetes duration d6 months) were enrolled. The patients with end-stage complications were excluded. A locally adapted, Tamil-translated questionnaire covering diet, physical activity, medication adherence, foot care, and blood-glucose monitoring was administered. Mean scores were calculated for each self-care domain, and adherence was compared across demographic subgroups using Student’s t -test. Results: Adherence was highest for blood-glucose monitoring (98.5%) and medication use (97.5%). Dietary adherence was low. Only 39.8% spaced meals appropriately, 27.0% consumed recommended fruits/vegetables, and 61.0% did not include high-fiber/high-protein foods. Educated participants had significantly better dietary adherence than uneducated ones. Seventy-five percent reported ≥30 min of routine physical activity daily, with males and externally employed participants significantly more active ( P = 0.03). Foot care adherence was moderate. 90.3% used footwear, 69.9% examined their feet daily, but 13.8% did not check the inner part of their footwear. Conclusion: Among diabetic patients at this primary care center, adherence was highest for medication and blood-glucose monitoring, moderate for physical activity and foot care, and lowest for diet. Adherence to diet was higher among males than females. Educated participants adhered to the diet better than uneducated participants. Males and externally employed individuals were more physically active. Targeted interventions are needed to improve diet and foot care practices in this population.