Effectiveness Of Health Education Program For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending Zagazig University Diabetes Clinic, Egypt

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem. Objectives: To i) assess knowledge, attitude, random blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) levels in type 2 diabetics, ii) investigate the effect of different socio-demographic factors on acquiring knowledge about diabetes, iii) assess the effectiveness of health education on knowledge, attitude, blood sugar and HbAlc levels in type 2 diabetics. Methods: This intervention study was carried out on 122 randomly selected type 2 diabetics attending diabetes outpatient clinic in Zagazig University, from January 2009 to April 2009. A questionnaire (pretest) was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude, then a blood sample was taken for testing random blood sugar and HbAlc. Patients were subjected to the first health education session where information about diabetes was provided. In the second visit patients were informed about the results of their investigations, and the remaining part of the educational message was delivered. In the 3rd visit, patients were subjected to the post test and blood samples were tested for random blood sugar and HbAlc. Results: The majority of patients had low levels of knowledge regarding different aspects of diabetes (Correct answers ranged from 16.39% to 49.18%). Knowledge level was significantly poor, among females, not educated, low social class, and rural residence and of older age group. After implementation of the educational message, a significant improvement was revealed in patients' knowledge and attitude with lowering of their mean levels of blood sugar and HbA 1c. Conclusion and Recommendations: Health education was an effective tool that implicated change in diabetic patients' knowledge, attitude towards diabetes, random blood sugar and HbAlc levels. Training of health care providers working in outpatient diabetes clinic regarding different aspects of type 2 diabetes is highly needed.