Self - care Practices and Complications Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Bamenda Health District, Northwest Region of Cameroon

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an emerging lifestyle disease and is now an important public health concern globally and a silent killer. Its coexistence with other medical conditions contributes to about 88% mortality. This study aimed at investing self-care practices and complications of type 2 diabetic among patients in Bamenda Health District. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 participants selected quarterly from three health facilities in Bamenda Health District. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 17.0and was considered significant at P ? 0.05.The results showed that, of the 200 patients, 48% were male and 52% female and for both of them, 60%  were aged above 50 years. Concerning dietary intake, 68% had no control on food intake and 54.5% ate more of energy yielding food.Majority of the patients (54%) do not indulge in physical activities.Only 12% of the diabetic patients washed and wiped their feet every day.Compliance to medication was 40.5%.It was observed that the most outstanding complications were high blood pressure (62%)and visual problems (60%). Self-carepractices (diet, physical activity, blood sugar testing, foot care, alcohol and medications) were significantly associated with complications (p<0.05).Results revealed an overall poor approach to self-care among the patients, thus Type 2 diabetic patients in Bamenda health district still need more access to information on self-care