Comparative Assessment the Effect of Self-care Behavior Education by Health Care Provider and Peer on HbA1c Level in Diabetic Patients

Providing education on self-care for patients is the basis and foundation of diabetes treatment. The impact of different educational methods differs. This study aimed to determine the effect of education on self-care behaviors provided by health care providers and peers on HbA1c levels in diabetic patients.
This study is a randomized clinical trial conducted on 120 patients referring to the diabetes center in Bandar Abbas. For education participants were assigned to three groups; study tools included a questionnaire for demographic variables, and spectrophotometer to assess HbA1c levels. Data were collected at baseline and 12 weeks after the intervention. In the 3 groups, self care education was provided by: 1. health care provider (nurse) 2. by peers in the field of diabetes, whereas those in the control group received the education, provided by usual programs of the diabetes center. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS V.18 with descriptive and analytic statistics tests.
Before the intervention, three groups were matched based on HbA1c levels (p=0.29). However, after the intervention, the HbA1c levels decreased significantly in the health care provider group, compared to the other two groups (p=0.04).
According to the results, education on self-care behavior by the health care provider is an effective method for control of diabetes and its complications. Extending the availability of this education to health care service would control the disease.