Vol. 10, Issue 6 (2021)

Objective: To assess the impact of educational program on improving the knowledge, positive attitude, good practices in the management of diabetes among elderly patients.

Method: A convenient sampling technique was employed to enroll 500 participants aged between 65 to 76 years, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus for a time period of one year. The KAP questionnaire related to diabetes was completed, and the level of KAP in diabetics was assessed in the pool of participants. An education program was tailored and the said elderly populations were imparted basic knowledge regarding nutrition, self-care and management of the disease. A post-assessment KAP score was further recorded at 9 months follow-up.

Result: A significant difference in the weight and BMI of the patients were observed in the elderly individuals with T2DM (p< 0.001). Prior to the educational program, the knowledge scores in the pool of patients was noted to be 5.34±1.06 but a significant different was noted post 9 months follow-up period (7.98±1.21, p< 0.001). Similar observations were seen for the attitude and practice scores as well. A significant difference in the scores for attitude and practice was observed in the pre and post interventional program (11.97±1.96 Vs 14.32±1.55 and 10.31±0.71 Vs 12.36±1.12, respectively). The total KAP score also increased from 27.60±2.39 to 33.66±1.16 in a time period of 9 months. A significant difference in the nutritional status was observed in all the treated groups in the follow-up session (p< 0.001).

Conclusion: The educational intervention was effective in increasing the knowledge and changing the attitudes to a more positive state, which resulted in improvements in their nutritional status.