Abstract:
Background: Diabetes self-care management education (DSME) facilitate all people with
diabetes to improve knowledge, skills and ability to self-care themselves and sustain their
behaviors required to manage their condition on an ongoing basis.
Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the impact of DSME on changing self care practices among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 voluntary
diabetes clinic attendees at the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya in early 2018. Data were
collected using content validated, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire which
comprised of four essential self-care behaviors; medications, eating habits, physical
activeness and risk reduction behaviors (foot care and regular blood testing). The
questionnaire was administered prior to the DSME session (Pre-DSME) and one month
following the session (post-DSME). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results and conclusions: Most of the participants were males (n=29, 57%), married (n=57,
94%), employed (n=41, 84%), had oral hypoglycemic medications (n=42, 84%) while
others had both oral medications and insulin. According to the findings of pre-DSME, the
most known self-care behavior found among clinic attendees was compliance for
hypoglycemic medications (94%) and it was reached to 96% at the post-DSME assessment.
According to the finding of post-DSME session, there was an apparent improvement in
regular testing of blood glucose (pre-DSME -32%, post-DSME - 86%), and in foot care
(pre-DSME - 14%, post-DSME - 24%). However, there was very little improvement in other
important self-care behaviors including physical exercises (pre-DSME - 62%, pre-DSME -
64%), and use of appropriate dietary patterns (pre-DSME - 52%, post-DSME- 60%).
Medication compliance in this cohort shown to be sound good. Though findings show some
improvement in regular monitoring of blood glucose status because of DSME, some
important aspects of self-care management including, dietary pattern, physical exercises and
foot care need to be encouraged through continuous education.
