Researchers in Oman studied 225 adults with type 2 diabetes to understand how confident people feel about managing their disease and whether that confidence affects their blood sugar control. They found that people who felt less confident about managing their diabetes tended to have higher blood sugar levels. The study suggests that helping people feel more capable of taking care of themselves—through better education and support—could be an important way to help them control their diabetes more effectively.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does a person’s confidence in managing their diabetes affect how well they can control their blood sugar levels?
  • Who participated: 225 adults with type 2 diabetes from Oman, ranging from urban to rural areas. About half were between 51-70 years old, most were married, and slightly more than half were women. About half had diabetes for more than 10 years.
  • Key finding: People with low confidence in managing their diabetes had worse blood sugar control. The average blood sugar control score was 8.23, which is considered moderate but not ideal. Most people in the study had low confidence scores (averaging 29.99 out of 60).
  • What it means for you: If you have type 2 diabetes, building your confidence in managing it—through education, practice, and support—may help you control your blood sugar better. This is especially important if you’re taking multiple medications. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator about ways to feel more confident in your daily diabetes care.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from people at one point in time (August to October 2023) rather than following them over months or years. The researchers used a smart sampling method to make sure they included people from different areas—cities, suburbs, and rural regions—so the results would represent all of Oman. They selected 30 health institutions across these different areas and recruited 225 patients from seven clinics and hospitals.

Participants filled out a questionnaire that asked about their background, health history, and how confident they felt managing their diabetes. The researchers also measured their hemoglobin A1c levels, which is a blood test that shows average blood sugar control over the past three months. They used a validated tool called the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6 Scale to measure confidence in managing symptoms, taking treatments, and handling emotional stress.

The study included adults 18 and older who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past year and could read Arabic. They excluded people who were very sick, had serious mental health conditions, or didn’t want to participate.

This research approach is important because it captures real-world information about how people actually manage their diabetes in their daily lives. By studying people across different regions and backgrounds, the results are more likely to apply to different groups. Understanding the connection between confidence and blood sugar control helps doctors and educators know where to focus their efforts to help patients improve.

This study has several strengths: it used a validated measurement tool for confidence, included a reasonable sample size of 225 people, and used proper statistical methods to analyze the data. However, because it’s a cross-sectional study (snapshot in time), it shows relationships between confidence and blood sugar control but cannot prove that low confidence causes poor control. The study was limited to Oman and Arabic-speaking patients, so results may not apply to all populations. Additionally, people with severe illness or mental health conditions were excluded, so the findings may not represent the most vulnerable patients.

What the Results Show

The study found that people with low confidence in managing their diabetes tended to have worse blood sugar control. The average blood sugar control score (hemoglobin A1c) was 8.23, which indicates moderate control but is higher than the ideal target of 7% or less. Most participants had low confidence scores, averaging 29.99 out of a possible 60 points.

Blood sugar control varied based on age and marital status. Younger patients and married patients tended to have better control than older or unmarried patients. Interestingly, patients taking both oral medications and insulin had worse blood sugar control, which may reflect that these are typically people with more advanced diabetes.

One surprising finding was that patients with other health conditions (like high blood pressure or heart disease) actually had better blood sugar control. This may be because having multiple health problems makes people more aware of their health and more careful about following their treatment plans.

The study revealed that about half of the participants had lived with diabetes for over 10 years, suggesting many had long-standing disease. Most participants were married and slightly more than half were women. These demographic factors appeared to influence how well people controlled their blood sugar, though the exact reasons weren’t fully explored in this study.

This research supports what other studies have shown: a person’s confidence in managing their health is connected to how well they actually manage it. Previous research has suggested that confidence (called self-efficacy) is important for following medication schedules, eating healthy, exercising, and checking blood sugar. This Omani study adds to that evidence by showing the connection in a specific population and highlighting that low confidence is common among type 2 diabetes patients.

This study has several important limitations to consider. First, it only shows a snapshot in time, so we can’t know if low confidence causes poor blood sugar control or if poor control causes low confidence. Second, the study only included people from Oman who could read Arabic, so the results may not apply to other countries or cultures. Third, people who were very sick or had serious mental health problems were excluded, so we don’t know how the findings apply to them. Fourth, the study relied on people’s own reports through questionnaires, which can sometimes be less accurate than other measurement methods. Finally, the study couldn’t prove cause-and-effect relationships, only that certain factors are associated with better or worse blood sugar control.

The Bottom Line

If you have type 2 diabetes, work with your healthcare team to build your confidence in managing your disease. This might include: (1) Taking a diabetes education class to learn more about your condition and treatment; (2) Starting with small, achievable goals for diet, exercise, and medication taking; (3) Tracking your progress to see improvements; (4) Asking your doctor or nurse for support when you feel overwhelmed. These steps appear to help people feel more confident and may improve blood sugar control. Confidence level: Moderate—this research suggests these approaches may help, but more studies are needed to confirm the best ways to build confidence.

This research is most relevant for adults with type 2 diabetes, especially those who feel unsure about managing their condition or those taking multiple medications. Healthcare providers, diabetes educators, and people who care for diabetes patients should also pay attention to these findings. If you have type 2 diabetes and feel confident in managing it, these findings still apply—maintaining that confidence is important. If you have type 1 diabetes or other types of diabetes, similar principles may apply, but talk to your doctor about what’s specific to your situation.

Building confidence in managing diabetes is a gradual process. You might notice small improvements in how you feel about managing your condition within a few weeks of starting education or support. However, improvements in blood sugar control typically take 2-3 months to show up in blood tests (hemoglobin A1c tests). Significant improvements may take 3-6 months or longer, depending on your starting point and how much you’re able to change your daily habits. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small wins along the way.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily confidence in managing diabetes on a scale of 1-10 each day, along with your medication adherence (did you take all doses?), meals eaten, and exercise minutes. Over time, you’ll see patterns between your confidence level and how well you’re following your diabetes care plan.
  • Set one small, specific goal each week to build confidence—such as ‘I will check my blood sugar at the same time each morning’ or ‘I will eat one healthy meal per day.’ Use the app to remind you and celebrate when you complete it. As you succeed with small goals, your confidence will grow and you can add more goals.
  • Use the app to record your hemoglobin A1c results every three months (when you get blood work done) and your confidence scores weekly. Create a simple chart showing how your confidence and blood sugar control change together over time. Share this with your doctor to discuss what’s working and what needs adjustment. This long-term tracking helps you see the real impact of building confidence on your health.

This research suggests a connection between confidence in managing diabetes and blood sugar control, but it does not prove that building confidence will definitely improve your blood sugar levels. Individual results vary based on many factors including genetics, medications, diet, exercise, and overall health. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare team. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management plan, medications, or lifestyle. If you have type 2 diabetes, work with your doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and health status.