The Effect of Islamic Care Method on Nutritional Self-Care, Anthropometric Indices and Blood Pressure in Diabetic Patients

Background and Diabetes is the most prevalent metabolic disease and a network of environmental and genetic risk factors. Control and prevention of diabetes are based on self-care and patients education. "The Method of Islamic Care" is a common and successful method of behavior modification in Islamic ethics and mysticism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Islamic Care Method on nutritional self-care, anthropometric indices and blood pressure in diabetic patients.
In a randomized clinical trial, 110 middle-aged patients with type two diabetes were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Nutritional self-care behaviors were determined using a questionnaire. Weight, height and blood pressure were measured. The same education about diabetic diet was presented in both groups. In the intervention group Islamic teachings and Islamic Nutritional Care Method were taught with the intention of satisfying Allah. Two months later, the variables were measured again in 98 patients. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.22, using Paired and Independent- samples T- Tests, Chi-square, and Analysis of covariance.
After adjustment for confounding variables, the intervention group had a significant increase in nutritional self-care (P>0.002) and significant decrease in weight (P>0.05) compared with those in the control group. The results indicated significant improvements in most of the indices in both groups at post-intervention (P>0.001).
Islamic Care Method demonstrated its efficacy in promoting nutritional self-care behaviors and reducing weight indicator. This method is recommended for controlling chronic diseases influenced by behavioral factors.