Abstract

background

Health personnel rarely ascertain self-efficacy of self-care in the assessment phase of diabetes care in Ghana. In part, that is due to absence of empirical evidence that self-efficacy can predict self-care in a population of persons with type 2 diabetes.

objective

To examine the effect of self-efficacy on global self-care behaviours.

methods

Using a cross-sectional design, purposive and convenience sampling procedures, 201 participants in an urban community in Ghana responded to two questionnaires on self-efficacy and global self-care behaviours. Simple linear regression was used to test the hypothesis that self-efficacy can predict self-care behaviours at a significance level 5%, using SPSS 21.

results

Self-efficacy of persons with type 2 diabetes in Ghana predicted 73% of the variance observed in their global self-care behaviours (β= 0.73, t=14.85, ρ<0.01).

Conclusions

Self-efficacy predicts global self-care behaviours. Assessment of self-efficacy of self-care in diabetes management in Ghana should be considered and results could guide the care process.