Self-care behaviours, distress and health-related quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the teaching hospitals in Ogun state

Objective: Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is a multidimensional concept encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) often face diabetes-related distress (DRD) due to the demands of long-term treatment, which can lead to poor self-care behaviours and diminished HRQoL. This study aimed to investigate the combined impact of diabetes self-care and distress on health-related quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 219 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending two teaching hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using validated questionnaires. DSMQ, DDS-17, and WHOQOL-BREF. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were performed at a 5% significance level. Results: Participants had a mean age of 56.1 ± 9.7 years. Diabetes self-care behaviour was optimal, with a mean DSMQ score of 7.27 ± 1.40 (95% CI: 7.08–7.46), while diabetes distress levels were moderate, with a mean DDS score of 2.10 ± 0.82 (95% CI: 1.97–2.19). Participants reported high overall perceptions of quality of life (80.50 ± 18.00) and health (65.91 ± 22.09). Domain-specific HRQoL scores were moderate across physical health (62.08 ± 13.02), psychological (63.50 ± 12.91), social relationships (63.32 ± 19.70), and environment (62.44 ± 15.50). Both diabetes self-care behaviour and diabetes distress significantly predicted HRQoL (F(3, 205) = 15.8, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Diabetes self-care behaviours and distress significantly influenced HRQoL. Routine psychological screening and targeted interventions are recommended to reduce DD and improve HRQoL among T2DM patients.