Background: Diabetes is a chronic public health problem, and is growing as an epidemic in both developed and developing countries. Diabetes currently affects more than 62 million Indians, which is more than 7.1% of the adult population. Indian Heart Association reported India is projected to be home to 109 million individuals with diabetes by 2035.

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a STP on self-care of patients with diabetes mellitus and associate the pre-test knowledge scores with selected demographic variables.

Methods: Pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test design was used for the study, by Purposive Sampling technique & Sample size was 60 patients with diabetes mellitus admitted in endocrinology ward of SKIMS, Soura Srinagar. Patients who were willing to participate in the study, available at the time of data collection & above 30 years of age were included in study. An informed consent was obtained from the subjects; the structured interview schedule was administered after giving necessary instruction to the individual subjects at the bedside. On the same day STP was administered. On the 7th day post-test was taken to the subjects by using the same tool.

Results: The majority of the patients 55 (91.7%) had inadequate knowledge regarding self-care of diabetes mellitus before the STP. After the implementation of STP, 43(71.67%) had acquired adequate knowledge. The mean post-test knowledge score obtained by the patients was improved to 80.04% from a mean pre-test knowledge score of 31.06%, which was significant at P-value of 0.05 level which showed significant increase in knowledge. The association between pre-test knowledge score and demographic variables -sex, education, and occupation (0.037, 0.029 and 0.010 respectively and was significant at 0.05 levels).

Interpretation and Conclusion: The study showed that there was a significant improvement in the knowledge scores after the administration of STP. Hence it was concluded that the STP was effective in improving the knowledge of patients regarding self-care of diabetes mellitus.