Impact of Short Message System Education on Blood Sugar Control and Treatment Adherence in Patients With Type ۲ Diabetes

Objectives: Considering the need of diabetic patients for accessing the care system and the role of modern media in health education and culture, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of educating via mobile SMS in controlling blood sugar. Moreover, the adherence to drug treatment of patients with type ۲ diabetes was assessed. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Isfahan City, Iran in ۲۰۱۸. A total of ۱۰۰ diabetic patients participated in the case (intervention) and control groups. The control group underwent conventional therapies and training. SMS training was applied for the intervention group in addition to the conventional therapies. Collecting the information and data to assess adherence to patients’ treatment was done using a researcher-made ۱۸-item questionnaire. Analyzing data was performed in SPSS software, version ۲۰ through the employment of the independent t test, paired t test, and multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: Based on the independent t test results, no significant difference was detected between the two study groups at any time points (P>۰.۰۵) in terms of the mean fasting blood sugar. However, by analysis of covariance and adjusting the fasting blood sugar level before the intervention in the studied groups, the mean fasting blood sugar was recognized to be significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group in the second month (P=۰.۰۴۸) and the third month after the intervention (P=۰.۰۰۸). Discussion: There is an association between SMS education and fasting blood sugar control and adherence to treatment in the studied patients. In the field of health care education, it is possible to use patient communication techniques and short message services to control follow-up and monitor interventions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Education ، Text message ، Adherence to treatment ، Blood sugar ، Type ۲ Diabetes