Investigation of diabetes self-management and risk perceptions regarding diabetes complications in individuals with Type 2 diabetes admitted to family health centers

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between diabetes self-management practices and risk perception of diabetes complications in individuals with Type 2 diabetes, and to identify the determinants affecting self-management behaviors. Material and Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 Type 2 Diabetes patients who applied to Siirt Family Health Centers between October and December 2023. Data were collected face-to-face using a questionnaire that included socio-demographic information, the Diabetes Self-Management Scale (DSMS), and the Risk Perception Scale – Diabetes Mellitus (RPS-DM). Correlation, parametric, and non-parametric tests were used for data analysis, and the level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. Results: The participants' mean total Diabetes Self-Management Scale (DSMS) score was 5.63±1.52 (a moderate level), and the mean total Risk Perception Scale – Diabetes Mellitus (RPS-DM) score was 4.17±1.34. Factors such as age, treatment type, and family history of diabetes created a statistically significant difference on self-management scores; while gender, education level, and the presence of complications had a statistically significant effect on risk perception scores (p<0.05). A weak, positive, and significant correlation was determined between the total scores of the DSMS and RPS-DM. The findings indicated deficiencies in self-management, particularly in the areas of diet and physical activity. Conclusion: The self-management and risk perception of individuals with Type 2 Diabetes are associated with sociodemographic and disease-specific factors. The higher success in self-management and higher risk perception among individuals with a family history of diabetes underscore the critical role of family support. The inadequate risk perception, even among individuals who have experienced complications, points to a lack of awareness. In light of these findings, there is an urgent need for effective diabetes education and follow-up programs that are individualized, encourage family support, and are designed to strengthen risk perception.