Factors associated with control of type 2 diabetes mellitus in North Iran

Backround. Diabetes is an important public health problem, one of four priority noncommunicable diseases targeted for action by world leaders. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting diabetes control in patients with type 2 diabetes in the rural areas of northern Iran. Methods. This study was conducted following a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study design based on the data of 308 patients with type 2 diabetes in the rural areas of Golestan province. The samples were selected through two-stage stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire (completed by the interviewer) and by measuring the blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile of patients and also using data from patients’ records. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics and SPSS version 19. Results. The mean age of patients was 57 ± 15 years and 220 patients (71%) were female. Fifty-five percent of patients had a family history of diabetes and 69% had comorbidity. The mean vegetable intake in patients was 3 days a week with 1.5 servings per day and only 20% had exercise at least three times a week. The proportion of patients with adequately controlled glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c), blood pressure (BP), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were 27, 91, 31, 41 and 55.5%, respectively. There was also a significant relationship between the controlled blood glucose with increasing age, absence of comorbidity, the number of nutrition counseling, and lowering blood triglycerides. Conclusion. The results of this study showed poor blood glucose control in the studied geography. Therefore, considering these data, it seems necessary to review the national plan for the prevention and control of diabetes.