Objective To investigate the scale of self-efficacy and the influencing factors among the elderly diabetic population in rural communities in Shanghai . Method The diabetic patients in the rural communities were involved in the study by questionnaire to analyze the patient′s self-efficacy and its influencing factors. Results The total score of self-efficacy was (77.48 ± 22.22), with the index score of 59.60%. By multiple stepwise regression analysis, the influencing factors were age, education level and annual income. Conclusions The self-efficacy of diabetic patients is at a low level. To improve their self-efficacy, we should strengthen the education to the diabetic patients with age of 40~49 or poor in education or lower in income.