Background and objective:  The successful management of diabetes relies on performing individual designed self-care activities to control symptoms and avoid complications; but one of the causes of diabetes complications is lack of self-care by diabetic patients. Therefore this study was conducted to predict self-care behavior using extended theory of reasoned action (ETRA) among women with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study, 300 women with type 2 diabetes referred to government health centers in the city of Mashhad were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. Data gathering tools were ETRA questionnaire and Toobert and colleagues’ brief scale of self-care behaviors'. For data analysis was used by descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS 21. For prediction self-care behavior, as dependent variables, was used from multiple linear regression (using the Enter and backward models).

Results: The self-efficacy was the most important structure for predicting of self-care intention. Results of regression showed that 55% the variance of behavioral intention and 24% the variance in self-care behavior can be predicted by the model.

Conclusion: The theory of reasoned action along with self-efficacy is suitable for predicting the self-care behaviors in diabetic women and self-efficacy is considered an important structure in determining self-care behaviors.

Paper Type: Research Article.