Background: Self-care is an essential element in treating a person with diabetes; and managing
diabetes is of prime importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of adherence
to self-care behavior among women with Type 2 diabetes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 210 female patients aged 30 to 60. Data
collection tool was an anonymous valid and reliable questionnaire designed based on the Health Belief
Model (HBM), which acquired information about the followings: Perceived susceptibility, severity,
benefits, barriers, self-efficacy and diabetes self-care behavior. Data were analyzed by t-test, chisquare
and regression analysis.
Results: The multiple regression models revealed 59.9% of the variance of self-care behavior with
self-efficacy, perceived barrier, benefit and susceptibility. Additionally, the highest weight for β
(β=0.87) was found for self-efficacy. Self-care behavior was positively correlated with all HBM variables
except for perceived barriers showing a negative correlation.
Conclusion: The Health Belief Model may be used as a framework to design intervention programs
in an attempt to improve adherence to self-care behaviors of women with diabetes. In addition, the
results indicated that self-efficacy might play a more crucial role in developing self-care behaviors
than t other HBM components. Therefore, if the focus is placed on self-efficacy when developing
educational programs, it may increase the likelihood of adherence to self-care behavior