Impact of educational intervention study among adult diabetic patients in Southeastern Nigeria

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus, characterized by various risk factors, stands as a chronic metabolic disorder. In regions with limited resources, individuals grappling with diabetes often lack a comprehensive understanding of the imperative nature of diabetes management. Consequently, patients encounter difficulties adhering to their prescribed treatment regimens, resulting in suboptimal glycemic control and heightened morbidity and mortality rates. This study endeavors to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of individuals living with diabetes in Umuahia, Abia State. Method: This study quasi-experimental design, comprising 232 adult diabetic patients from Umuahia South LGA. The investigation determined the effectiveness of educational intervention programme based among adults with type 2 diabetes. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics while baseline and endline differences were done using chi-square and t-test, p<0.05. Result: Among the 232 diabetic patients, 131 (56.6%) were male, falling below the age of 40 years (49.3%), and possessed at least a secondary school education (87.5%). A substantial proportion, 170 (73.7%), exhibited poor knowledge of diabetes, reflected in a mean diabetes knowledge score of 24.95, which markedly improved to 45.53 following the intervention. The mean scores for diabetes attitudes and practices, initially recorded at 11.4 and 6.50, demonstrated positive enhancements to 12.49 and 7.51, respectively, in the post-intervention phase. Noteworthy differences emerged between the baseline and post-intervention assessments for diabetes knowledge (t=-64.294; p<0.05), control (t=4.363; p<0.05), and practices (t=-5.615; p<0.001). Conclusion: Upon the completion of the educational instruction, a discernible enhancement in the diabetes management of the participants was evident. Systematic diabetes education constitutes a pivotal stride in mitigating diabetic complications, concurrently elevating patients’ self-efficacy, an indispensable component in the effective management of diabetes.