The effects of non-attendance information therapy on the control of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1)C) in type 2 diabetic patients

INTRODUCTION: Patient education plays an important role in the control of diabetes. Nonattendance education, enabling elimination of limitations caused by time and space and facilitating the relationship between patient and care liaison is an effective, simple, and cheap method. The aim of this study is determination of the effects of nonattendance information therapy on the control of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1)C) in type 2 diabetic patients in Isfahan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was an interventional semi experimental study with pretest and post-test and control groups. Statistical population were type 2 diabetics patients of the Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, of whom 64 people were randomly selected and divided into intervention and control groups. First, the preliminary data were collected using the HbA(1)c test in patients. Then, the intervention group received training package and Short Message Service (SMS) for eight weeks. After one-month incubation period, HbA(1)c was again determined in both groups. Data were analyzed using t-test, paired t-test and Mann–Whitney U and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Results showed that diabetes patients’ HbA(1)c in the intervention group was significantly lower after the intervention through training packages and SMS service compared to before the intervention (P < 0.001). Comparison of the two groups showed that there was a significant difference in the HbA(1)C between the intervention and control groups (P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Follow-up of education of patients with type 2 diabetes through training packages and SMS services had significant effects on the control of the patients’ HbA(1)C. Also due to the low cost and high effectiveness of this method, it is recommended to health-care providers and treatment groups. This study also showed that having medical librarians along with treatment group can have a positive effect on the type 2 diabetic patients’ health.