Effect of Education Based on Health Belief Model on Self-care Behavior and Metabolic Indices in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Clinical Research Trial

Patient education is an important part of treatment process. Educational models such as Health Belief Model (HBM) emphasize on people's motivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of this educational method on self-care performance and metabolic indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes.

In this clinical trial, type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned into an intervention group (n=40) and a control group (n=40) (routine care). In intervention group, diabetes knowledge and health beliefs about diabetes, lifestyle, and self-care were taught through lectures and question/answer forum based on health belief model for 90-minute in four sessions. In all samples, fasting blood sugar, HBA1C, lipoproteins, and blood pressure were measured before and four months after the intervention. Also, health belief model constructs and self-care behavior scale were completed. Data were analyzed in SPSS V23 using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).

Compared to the control group, in intervention group, the scores for knowledge (P=0.01), performance (P= 0.01), and self-efficacy (P= 0.04) increased significantly and the score for perceived barriers decreased significantly (P= 0.02). Changes in FBS, LDL, and blood pressure were similar between the two groups, but a significant difference was seen in changes in HbA1C (P= 0.04).

Education based on health belief model seems to be effective in promoting self-care behaviors and control of metabolic complications in diabetic patients, so the model is suggested to be applied also in larger populations and long term studies in other patients such as those with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.