Effects of the Holistic Self-Care Program on Diabetes among Diabetic Mellitus Patients in a Rural Area of Sakaeo Province, Thailand

Currently, the number of diabetes patients is increasing each year, and this may lead to complications if they do not engage in proper self-care behaviors. This research investigated the effects of a holistic self-care program on diabetes among patients with diabetes mellitus in a rural area of Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand. This research was a quasi-experimental study utilizing a two-group pretest-posttest design, which assessed outcomes before and after the intervention over three months. Participants were recruited from diabetes mellitus patients diagnosed by medical doctors and registered for treatment at the Khlong Kai Thuen Sub-district primary healthcare centers. These patients were over 35 years old and voluntarily participated in the program. The sample consisted of 70 participants, divided into intervention (n=35) and control (n=35) groups through simple random sampling based on participant identification numbers drawn by lottery. The control group received standard care and a self-care behavior booklet. In contrast, the intervention group engaged in a 12-week holistic self-care program, meeting bi-weekly for six sessions. Outcomes were measured using interview forms and blood glucose tests. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and independent t-tests. The findings indicated that after three months, the intervention group showed significantly reduced blood glucose levels and increased knowledge about diabetes and self-care behaviors compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated significantly reduced blood glucose levels and enhanced knowledge about diabetes and self-care behaviors compared to before the intervention (p < 0.001). The holistic self-care program has proven effective in lowering blood glucose levels for diabetes mellitus patients. Healthcare providers can incorporate this program to change the behavior of diabetes patients, working alongside local administrative organizations to mitigate potential complications from chronic diseases.