Interventional Education Program Increases Knowledge, Illness Perception, and Self-efficacy Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Pilot Study Findings from Vietnam

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease whose global incidence is on a continuous rise. Its main variant- type 2 DM (T2DM) constitute about 90% of the diabetic population. The control of glycemic index and complications is vital in the care and management of T2DM, for which knowledge on the various aspects of the disease among the patients plays a significant role. Objectives: To study the effects of intervention based on the Common-Sense Model education program in knowledge, illness perception and self-efficacy of T2DM patients. Methodology: A quasi-experimental pilot study with 15 T2DM patients were researched using the questionnaires to assess demographic characteristics, knowledge on diabetes, illness perception of participants, self-efficacy, and instrument for research intervention such as booklet, video on excercise and posters on food exchange. Results: The mean score for knowledge was significantly improved from 8.062.03 to 20.931.44 after intervention in the participants. Similarly, illness perception dimensions and self-efficacy scores were significantly higher in participants after the interventions compared to initial. Conclusions: Our CSM based interventional education program was effective in improving knowledge and illness perception, and self-efficacy among T2DM patients in the study. The findings of this pilot study can serve as a platform for a large scale research which could be vital in the diabetes management in the region.