The effect of patient education through social media on the level of anxiety associated with Covid-19 in patients with diabetes: A single-blind clinical trial

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous psychological problems, especially anxiety, in patients with diabetes as a group with increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Patient education in this area can be a good way to reduce the psychological burden of these patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of patient education through social media on the COVID-19-related anxiety in patients with diabetes.

This is a single-blind clinical trial, in which 113 patients with diabetes were recruited using convenience sampling and then divided into two groups of experimental (n = 58) and control (n = 55) using simple random allocation. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS). COVID-19-related patient education was provided for the intervention group at a two-week period, while the control group only received routine care. Data were entered into SPSS software version 26 and then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

There was no statistically significant difference in terms of demographic characteristics and the mean score of COVID-19-related anxiety between the two groups before the intervention (p > .05). This difference in the mean score of COVID-19-related anxiety was not found to be significant between the two groups after the intervention (p > .05). There was also a statistically significant difference between the mean score of COVID-19-related anxiety at measurement points of before and after the intervention in the experimental group (p < .05).

Educational intervention through social network leads to a slight reduction in COVID-19-related anxiety in diabetic patients. Therefore, social media is suggested as a suitable and accessible method for COVID-19-related patient education.