Diabetes mellitus remains a significant public health challenge, with about 463 million adults suffering from diabetes worldwide. 1 Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the major types of diabetes mellitus. While type 1 diabetes accounts for 5%−10%, type 2 diabetes accounts for 90%−95% of overall cases of diabetes mellitus. 1,2 Diabetes mellitus is one of the most challenging chronic illnesses in health systems in Africa, 3 with 19 million people in Africa suffering from the illness in 2019. Africa accounts for the highest proportion (77%) of diabetes mellitus-related deaths worldwide due to the inaccessibility of insulin, high medical costs, and a variety of social, cultural and ethnic factors. 1,4 Self-management refers to the ability of a patient to deal with chronic illnesses, including symptoms, treatment, physical and social consequences, and lifestyle changes. 5 An international guideline has recommended diabetes self-management (DSM) interventions to enhance health in diabetes mellitus patients, with the ultimate goal of controlling glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA 1c ). 6 DSM interventions provide education and support that are related to seven American Association of Diabetes Educators self-care behaviours (the AADE 7), namely healthy eating, being active,