Hajnalka Požar, Dragana Simin, Čaba Požar
Keywords
Type 2 diabetes • Structured education • Self-management • Primary care • Body mass index • Glycemia • A1C • Lipid profile
Abstract
Objective Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of a structured diabetes self-management education program on diseases-related knowledge, self-management activities, and the anthropometric and biochemical parameters of glycoregulation in participants.
Methodology In the structured, newly created group education, with a duration of 8 h in 6 weeks, 91 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in primary care in Subotica, Serbia. Standardized questionnaires, nutrition status, and glycoregulation measurements were used to compare values at the beginning and 4 months after education.
Results After education, disease-related knowledge was significantly increased by 91%, self-care activities in the last 7 days were improved by 65%, and self-management activities in the last 8 weeks were increased by 74%. The participants had a significant reduction in the mean values of weight (1.5 kg), BMI (0.6 kg/m 2), blood pressure (from 132/86 to 128/83 mmHg), and A1C by 0.4% (4.4 mmol/mol). Optimal glycoregulation was achieved by 68% of participants. The mean values of total cholesterol were decreased by 0.3 mmol/L (11.6 mg/dL) and triglycerides by 0.2 mmol/L (17.7 mg/dL).
Conclusion Additional structured education has been very effective in improving disease-related knowledge and self-care and self-management activities, in achieving optimal status nutrition and the glycoregulation of participants, compared with initial values. It is necessary to implement structured educational programs to empower patients for adequate self-management and diabetes control.
