The effects of an educational self-efficacy intervention on osteoporosis prevention and diabetes self-management among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND Prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) is high among Chinese adults with diabetes. Assessment of OP and fracture risk as well as patient education should be included as part of the management of diabetes. PURPOSE The purpose of this pilot study was to test the effectiveness of an educational self-efficacy intervention on knowledge about OP, dietary calcium intake, the importance of physical activity (PA), and glycemic control among Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes residing in Wuhan, China. METHOD A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was employed. Participants were assigned to either the intervention (n = 23) or the control group (n = 23). Intervention participants attended 6 weekly 1-hr educational sessions comprising presentations, demonstration, and discussions. Control participants received standard care. Data were collected via questionnaires at pre- and postintervention and at 3-month follow-up, and blood was drawn at preintervention and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS Participants in the intervention group had significant improvement in OP knowledge, F(2, 43) = 11.504, p < .001; OP self-efficacy, F(2, 43) = 6.915, p = .003; dietary calcium intake, F(2, 43) = 7.856, p = .002; level of PA, F(2, 43) = 4.787, p = .011; diabetes self-care activities, F(2, 43) = 14.009, p < .001; diabetes self-efficacy, F(2, 43) = 19.722, p < .001; and glycemic control (A1C level; t = 2.809, p = .010) compared to the control group at the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate the effectiveness of OP prevention education based on self-efficacy theory among Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes.