Background and Objective: Management of type 2 diabetes is highly dependent on patient self-care, and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) play a crucial role in disease control. This study aimed to assess the levels of KAP among patients with type 2 diabetes and examine their association with demographic and clinical variables.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 on 138 patients with type 2 diabetes attending Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. Data were collected using validated knowledge questionnaires, the IR-DAS-3 attitude scale, and the DSMQ-R practice scale, and point-of-care blood glucose was measured. KAP scores were categorized into low, moderate, and high levels. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive tests, correlation analyses, and linear and logistic regression in SPSS version 26.
Results: The mean age of participants was 53.96 ± 13.13 years, mean BMI was 27.17 ± 5.20 kg/m², and mean blood glucose was 159.47 ± 73.42 mg/dL. Knowledge was high in most patients, whereas attitude and practice were predominantly at moderate levels. Higher blood glucose was significantly associated with lower knowledge. Practice scores were negatively correlated with BMI and blood glucose, and in multivariate analysis, higher BMI, longer duration of diabetes, and higher blood glucose predicted poorer self-care practices.
Conclusion: There is a gap between patients’ knowledge and practice, and poor self-care is associated with unfavorable metabolic indicators. Emphasis on practical education and interventions tailored to patients’ conditions appears essential.