Effectiveness of a diabetic self-management education intervention through WhatsApp for people with type 2 diabetes: A randomised controlled feasibility study

INTERVENTION: The Participants assigned to WhatsApp group they will be join in a WhatsApp group via WhatsApp link and they will receive diabetic education sessions via WhatsApp. Each week will have a specific theme. Text information post and photos will be sent to the WhatsApp group each week. Videos will be delivered which related to DM information, the benefit of exercise, healthy food, and foot care. The education session will not be long and will take a 1 hour each week to go through all materials. Whatsapp allows you to see who viewed your content. Participants not engaging with the content in the WhatsApp group will be encouraged to do so through text messages. The student researcher will send also a reminder to all participants on Wednesday during the duration of the program. Participants are encouraged to spend time reading and interacting with the intervention every week The table below summarizes educational content. The educational materials will be developed and designed specifically for this study based on the results of our qualitative study based on current material from study venue (Ministry of health (MOH),2021), literature review(Alanzi et al., 2018; Petrovski & Zivkovic, 2019), International Diabetic Guidelines (Association of diabetes care & education specialist (ADCES),American Association of Diabetes Educators, 2020; 2021). If the participants assigned into control group they will receive the usual care provided in the health facility as per MOH guidelines in Saudi Arabia and diabetes education as per their needs. A brief summary of the educational content Session Proposed contents of DSME Mode of delivery Week 1 • Welcome and orientation of the DSME intervention. • What is DM and the importance of self‐management? • What is self‐management CONDITION: Metabolic and Endocrine ‐ Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes ; ; Type 2 Diabetes PRIMARY OUTCOME: Diabetic knowledge assessed by using Diabetic Knowledge Test (DKT)[DKT will assessed at baseline, immediately post‐intervention (at 8th week ), and 3 months post‐intervention completion] HbA1c assessed by blood test; [HbA1c will assessed at baseline, immediately post‐intervention (at 8th week ), and 3 months post‐intervention completion] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Self‐efficacy assessed by using UK‐Diabetic Management Self‐Efficacy Scale (UK‐DMSES) ; [UK‐DMSES will assessed at baseline, immediately post‐intervention (at 8th week ), and 3 months post‐intervention completion] Anxiety and Depression assessed by using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)[HADS will assessed at baseline, immediately post‐intervention (at 8th week ), and 3 months post‐intervention completion] Quality of life assessed by using Diabetes Management Quality of Life (DMQOL)[DMQOL will assessed at baseline, immediately post‐intervention (at 8th week ), and 3 months post‐intervention completion] INCLUSION CRITERIA: • Males or females diagnosed with T2DM and regularly followed up at the diabetic centres. • Male or female aged 18 to 60 years old. • HbA1C greater than 9 % (Universally considered poor control) • Patients are willing to participate in the study and have the capacity to provide informed consent. • Agree to follow the study procedures • Can Speak and read Arabic • Can to access and use WhatsApp