Glycaemic control and its associated factors among adult Omanis with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between glycemic control and diabetes self-management (DSM) and other associated factors among adult Omanis with Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM).

METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to collect data among 210 adult Omanis with T1DM who were conveniently recruited. All tools were self-reported, whereas the HbA1c was collected from the patient's electronic medical records.

RESULTS: The HbA1c mean value was 8.6 ( SD  = 2.5), 30.5% had optimal glycemic control (<7.0). A significant negative relationship between HbA1c and DSM ( r  = - 0.191, p  = 0.006) and diabetes knowledge ( r  = - 0.153, p  = 0.026) was found. Furthermore, the mean HbA1c was significantly lower for persons with a single marital status, have higher education level, have children, are unemployed, were not admitted to the hospital in the last year, and have a health care professional as a family member. Additionally, marital status, level of education, DSM, and social support were significant predictors of glycemic control.

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that better glycemic control could be achieved by optimizing DSM, social support, and diabetes knowledge. Sociodemographic factors should be considered when treating individuals with T1DM to reach good glycemic control.