The effect of receiving diabetes self-management education on preventive care practices and health-related quality of life among type II diabetes adults

Objectives To assess the effect of diabetes self-management education (DSME) on preventive care practices and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures among type II diabetes adults. Methods A retrospective database analysis was conducted using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Bivariate analyses were conducted to compare the utilization of preventive care practices among those receiving and not receiving DSME; and to determine the association between DSME status and HRQOL measures. Multiple logistic regression was employed to determine the likelihood of obtaining preventive care practices among those receiving DSME. Data analysis was performed using SAS version 9.2. Key findings Only 54% of type II diabetes adults received DSME. All preventive care practices except bi-annual HbA1c testing were utilized higher in adults receiving DSME. Adults receiving DSME were more likely to get an annual comprehensive foot examination (OR = 2.19, P < 0.0001), annual dilated eye examination (OR = 1.63, P = 0.0007), annual doctor visit (OR = 1.60, P = 0.0244), pneumococcal vaccine (OR = 1.48, P = 0.0042) and daily self-monitoring of blood glucose (OR = 1.46, P = 0.0065) than adults not receiving DSME. Higher proportion of adults receiving DSME reported good general health, < 13 days of physical and mental distress as compared to adults not receiving DSME. Conclusions Patient programmes are needed to increase DSME, which in turn may increase the uptake of preventive care measures and improve HRQOL of type II diabetes adults.