Introduction: self-care behaviors are an effective means in managing diabetes in the elderly. This study aimed to determine the predictors of diabetes self-care in the elderly in Kerman based on the role of diabetic knowledge.
Method: In this cross-sectional study, 374 elderly diabetic patients who had referred to health screening centers in Kerman were chosen via cluster sampling. To collect informations Toobert Glasgow’s diabetes self-efficacy scale and questionnaire based on diabetic knowledge was used. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed. The data were analyzed using t test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis in SPSS software 17.
Results: Self-care capacity in most of diabetic elderly was weak (61/3%). Age, education level, marital status, income, complication, medication and diabetic knowledge (P<0.001) were significantly associated with self-care behaviors. Diabetic knowledge could predict 57% of the variance of the self-care behaviors.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, diabetic knowledge can determine behaviors self care. So it is necessary to develop an educational intervention based on diabetic knowledge with the goal of properly managing diabetes in the elderly patients.