Poor Glycemic Control and Its Contributing Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Adama Hospital Medical College in East Ethiopia

Tewodros Yosef,1 Dejen Nureye,2 Eyob Tekalign3 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan Teferi, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tewodros YosefDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, P.O.Box: 260, Mizan Teferi, EthiopiaEmail tewodrosyosef47@mtu.edu.etBackground: Poor glycemic control is a major public health issue among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a significant risk factor for the progression of diabetic complications. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and contributing factors of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at Adama Hospital Medical College (AHMC) in East Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at AHMC from March 1 to 30, 2020. All type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at AHMC and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and reviewing the patient chart. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. The level of significance was declared at a p-value of < 0.05.Results: Of the 245 type 2 diabetes patients included in the study, 157 (64.1%) had poor glycemic control. The factors associated with poor glycemic control were being male (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI [1.24– 4.21]), not attending formal education (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI [1.53– 6.35]), monthly income of < 136 USD (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI [1.17– 3.91]), overweight (AOR = 2.60, 95% CI [1.32– 5.10]) and obesity (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI [1.44– 8.21]), and chewing khat (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.04– 7.33]).Conclusion: The proportion of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients at AHMC was remarkably high. Therefore, more effort should be taken to strengthening and disseminating health education programs for diabetes patients at each follow-up visit on the importance of achieving optimal body weight, avoiding khat chewing, and maintaining regular physical exercise to prevent and mitigate the complications resulting from poor glycemic control.Keywords: type 2 diabetes, glycemic control, AHMC, Ethiopi