Exploring the empowerment index and its related factors in type 2 diabetes patients in Sirjan city

Given the high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and it’s psychological, social and economic negative effects, nowadays empowerment approaches to type 2 diabetic care have been extended. This study intented to investigate the status of empowerment index and its related factors in type 2 diabetis Patients of Sirjan city.
This cross sectional study was performed on 160 type 2 diabetic patients referred to health centers in Sirjan. Patient's empowerment was measured by DES (Diabetes Empowerment Scale) self-report scale. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 18) and descriptive and analytical statistics.
Respondents aged in range of 35 to 81. Mean duration of diabetes was 3.2±2.4 years. The mean score of Diabetes Empowerment Scale among respondents was 101.5±12.5. Setting and achieving diabetes goal was considered as the most important domain in measuring diabetes self-management. 35% of participants had optimal control according to World Health Organization criteria. Diabetes empowerment index showed a significant and positive relation with educational level and duration of diabetes (pThe study showed that efforts to improve the ability of diabetics can result in better control of the disease. Empowering can be achieved only if the patients receive the necessary information and are actively informed and educated about their health condition.