The Effect of the Experience of Diabetes Education on Knowledge, Self-Care Behavior and Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Moon, Seung Hei; Lee, Young Whee; Ham, Ok Kyung; Kim, Soo Hyun

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to identify the effect of the experience of diabetes education on knowledge, self-care behavior and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Further, this study was held to examine about patient's preferred methods of education and re-education frequency.
METHODS
166 type 2 diabetes patients from two hospitals in Incheon participated in this study. Data were analyzed by using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test and multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
72.3% patients needed re-education and the average interval of re-education was 8.53 months. Patients preferred education methods were lectures, practical training, and studying from pamphlet. Depending on the frequency of diabetes education, there were significant differences in the level of diabetes knowledge (F=10.88, p<.001) and self-care behaviors (F=4.59, p=.012), but there was not significant difference with HbA1C (F=1.53, p=.220). As to how much the diabetes education helped managing diabetes, there was a significant difference in the level of self-care behaviors (t=2.01, p=.049), but there were not significant differences in level of knowledge (t=1.10, p=.275) and HbA1C (t=-.33, p=.746). The experience of diabetes education was a significant factor which influenced patient's knowledge (t=3.93, p<.001) and self-care behaviors (t=2.21, p<.001). But HbA1C was not influenced by the experience of diabetes education (t=-1.68, p=.096).
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to provide diabetes education with appropriate interval and methods and subjects that reflect the needs of patient through the study results.