Comparison of the Effectiveness of Direct and Indirect Virtual Educational Intervention on Promoting Self-Management Behaviors and Diabetes Control in Women with Type-2 Diabetes

Background and Aim: Patients with diabetes need continous support for sustainable self-care behaviors. The use of supportive forces to improve the level of self-management of diabetes is felt. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of direct and indirect virtual educational interventions on the promotion of self-management behaviors and diabetes control in women with type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted in 2019. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study included 100 females with type 2 diabetes under the coverage of three health centers affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, randomly divided into two groups of direct and indirect education (50 subjects in either group). A questionnaire was used as the standard tool of diabetes self-management. The education imparted to the subjects was based on the latest version of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME), and the educational sessions were based on the Stanford University's self-management model, including six 90-minute sessions during three weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 statistical software, the statistical tests being covariance analysis, etc.         Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the direct and indirect educational groups as regards the self-management scores and HbA1c levels in the first and second pre-tests (p<0.05). However, both the self-management scores and HbA1c levels of the two groups, determined at 3- and 6-month follow-ups, were found to be statistically significantly different (p<0.05).                Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the feasibility of using volunteers, after empowering them properly, to implement diabetes self-management educational interventions.