The Effect of Home Visit Program on Self-Management Behaviors and Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Insulin

Promoting self-management behaviors is one of the most important supportive measures for people with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of home visit program on self-management behaviors and glycemic control indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin.

This clinical trial study was performed on 64 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (32 patients in each case and control groups) in Shahid Asghar Shabani Center, Isfahan, Iran, in 2018. For the two groups of case and control, the demographic and self-management questionnaires were completed immediately, and three months after the intervention. The intervention was performed as a 4-6 session of the home visit program for the intervention group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square, independent t, and paired t tests via SPSS software.

Before the intervention, the mean score of self-management behaviors and blood glucose control indices did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the mean score of self-management behaviors became significant immediately and three months later, and the mean blood glucose control indices became significant three months after the implementation of the program in the intervention group. (P < 0.001).

The home visit improve the patients' self-management behaviors scales, and fasting blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) tests.