Factors Affecting Time to Return to a Normal Level of Hba1c Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

Background: This study aims to fill the information gap on factors affecting time to return to normal HbA1c level and expected survival times in Ethiopia, as studies on these aspects are scarce, particularly in diabetic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the patients with Diabetes Mellitus who follow-up the diabetic clinic at HUCSH, Ethiopia, between May to July 2021. The 382 diabetic patients were recruited into the study using simple random sampling techniques from the recorded frame of the hospital and were interviewed using structured interview schedule. The Cox regression analysis is applied on time to time to return normal HbA1c level. Data were entered, using EPI - info and analyzed by using STATA 16 computer software. Result: Diabetic patient expected survival times to return normal HbA1c had an average of 52.678 weeks with a standard error of 0.144. HbA1c level return to normal on patients of age below 18 year-old is reduced by 91.7% as compared to those who are older than 54 years. Similarly, the recovery time of patients in the age groups 18-36 year and 36-54 year is reduced by 44.1% and 55.6%, respectively compared to patients of age above 54 year-old. Moreover, when compared to patients with no medication side effects and patients with nausea/vomiting, headache, fatigue, and stomach upset have 43.8%, 57.3%, 44.1%, and 64.3% longer time to return to normal HbA1c level. Additionally, patient with low adherence level of patients were increased by 47.8 % time to return to normal HbA1c level compared to high adherence. Conclusion: It is advisable for clinicians that special consideration should be given for diabetic patients with medication-related side effects, elderly patients, and for poor treatment adherence diabetic patient.