Impact of an educational intervention in primary care on fasting blood glucose levels and diabetes knowledge among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural China

Objective: To assess the impact of an educational intervention for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary care in rural China, on fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and diabetes knowledge. Methods: Patients with T2DM (n = 1,589) in 18 township health centres in three counties in Jiangsu Province were randomly divided into an intervention group receiving educational intervention and follow-up visits, and a control group with standard care. Questionnaires and medical records, including FBG level and diabetes knowledge score, were compared, at baseline and follow-up. Propensity score matching and Difference-in-Difference analysis were used. Results: The FBG level decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group, DID=-0.53 mmol/l, (CI95 % -0.90 to -0.16). The diabetes knowledge score increased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group, DID = 0.91, (CI95 % 0.64-1.18). The FBG level and diabetes knowledge score improved significantly in the intervention group in all counties. Conclusions: The educational intervention and increased collaboration between hospitals and primary care improved the FBG level and diabetes knowledge score in the intervention group compared to the control group after one year. Practice implications: Educational intervention and increased collaboration between hospitals and primary care may improve diabetes care in rural China. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.