Abstract
BACKGROUND: Poor glycaemic control is the most challenging issue in diabetes care globally. The glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value is the most standard monitoring parameter for appropriate glycaemic control status. OBJECTIVE: To assess the patterns of glycaemic control and associated factors among patients with diabetes attending medical referral clinics in North-West Ethiopia. DESIGN: An institution-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: This study was conducted in two public hospitals (Felege-Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital), Amhara National Regional State, North-West Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 355 adult patients with diabetes were included in the study using a systematic sampling technique. Patients were recruited from both hospitals proportionally between July and September 2021. OUTCOME MEASURES: Glycaemic control was assessed using HbA1c levels. Data were collected using a checklist and structured questionnaire and analysed using a binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of poor glycaemic control was 66.2% (95% CI 61.1% to 71%). Age 31-45 years (AOR=0.30, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.75), 46-60 years (AOR=0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.33) and >60 years (AOR=0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.31), lower educational status (AOR=3.48, 95% CI 1.01 to 12.01), type 2 diabetes (AOR=3.36, 95% CI 1.56 to 7.27), poor adherence to antidiabetic drugs (AOR=4.18, 95% CI 1.70 to 10.30), physical inactivity (AOR=4.30, 95% CI 2.11 to 8.76), longer duration of diabetes mellitus (AOR=2.06, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.75) and high body mass index (AOR=3.83, 95% CI 1.31 to 11.19) were associated with poor glycaemic control. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of poor glycaemic control was high. Age, lower educational status, type 2 diabetes, physical inactivity, high body mass index, longer duration of diabetes and poor adherence to antidiabetic drugs were associated with uncontrolled glycaemia.