A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) on Diabetes Care and Importance of Adherence to Treatment in Terms of Knowledge among Diabetes Patients attending OPD in Selected Hospitals at Meerut

Background of the study: The diabetes capital of the world with as many as 50 million people suffering from type-2 diabetes, India has the challenge to face. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on diabetes, an estimated 3.4 million deaths are caused due to high blood sugar. Good management reduces the risk of developing complications, enhances health-related quality of life, and reduces hospital admissions. To make living with long-term illnesses as easy as possible, people have to regularly monitor the symptoms of their conditions, adapt their lifestyles, and adhere to treatment and regularly visit appointments. Aim: ??The main aim of this study is to evaluatewhether mobile phone applications such as Short Message Service (SMS) (also known as text messaging), mobile app, and emails can support people to better manage their long-term illnesses by sending medication reminders or supportive messages, or by offering a way for people to communicate important information to their healthcare providers and receive feedback. Methodology: An evaluative study research approach was conducted in the study to determine the effectiveness of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on diabetes care and the importance of adherence to treatment in terms of knowledge among diabetes patients. The research design selected for the study was a Quasi-experimental pre-test post-test control group design. 60 diabetic patients (30 in the experimental and 30 in the control group) were selected in the hospital setting by non-probability purposive sampling technique. The data was collected by structured knowledge questionnaire after taking the written consent including demographic profile. Information Communication Technology (ICT) was administered on diabetes care and the importance of adherence to treatment on day first to the experimental group diabetic patients. The data collection was done, analyzed, and interpreted in terms of the objectives of the study. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Major finding of the study: Maximum of the sample in the experimental group and control group were in the age group (49 or above) years i.e. 47% and 40% respectively. The study revealed that in the experimental group out of 30 samples, 24(80%) samples were male and 6 (20%) were female and in the control group out of 30 samples, 20(67%) samples were male and 10 (33%) were female. As per the qualification majority of the sample in the experimental group and control group were degrees i.e. 16 (53%) and 21 (70%) respectively. Regarding consultation from the physician regarding diabetes most of the sample in the experimental group and control group were following treatment strictly i.e. 12(40%) and 14 (47%). The maximum number of the sample in the experimental group and control group were having type-2 diabetes i.e. 28(93%) and 30 (100%) respectively. Regarding the duration of diabetes, most of the sample in the experimental group and control group were having since 1-5 yrs. i.e. 15(50%) and 18 (60%). The majority of the sample in the experimental group and control group family types were nuclear family i.e. 15(50%) and 16(53%). As per the monthly income in experimental group and control group were having (9001 ? 11000) income 18(60%) and 19(63%) respectively. The majority of the sample in the experimental group and control group source of information regarding diabetes and importance of adherence to treatment were TV/Radio/Magazine i.e. 18(60%) and 21(70%). The study revealed that the mean post-test knowledge score of diabetic patients in the experimental group (16.33) and the mean post-test knowledge score of the control group (11.23). The mean difference between the post-test knowledge score of both the group was found to be (5.10). The ?t? value of (4.37) for the df (29) was found to be statically significant at 0.05 level of significance. Thus it was inferred from the findings that the Information Communication Technology (Android mobile app) regarding diabetes and the importance of adherence to treatment was effective in increasing the knowledge of the experimental group of diabetic patients. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a knowledge deficit in diabetic patients regarding diabetes and the importance of adherence to treatment before intervention and ICT was an effective method to improve the knowledge of Diabetic Patients.