Improving type 2 diabetes patients' quality of life by using a community based interactive approach – diabetes mellitus strategy in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to improve diabetes patients' quality of life (QOL) by using a community based interactive approach – diabetes mellitus (CBIA-DM) strategy. This study was a time-series pre and post quasi-experimental with control groups design. Inclusion criteria were adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), had not attended a diabetes education programme in the last 2 years, were literate and had completed all activities required over the 6-month study period. The intervention group was CBIA-DM and the control groups were DM club and normal care. Data were collected pre, immediately after, 1, 3 and 6 months' post intervention using the World Health Organization QOL–bref (Bahasa Indonesia version) and scored as good, fair and poor. Improvement of QOL was assessed by how much the number of participants at the ‘good’ level increased and was sustained until 6 months' post intervention. The QOL of diabetes patients with can be improved using CBIA-DM strategy (P < 0.05). Given the WHOQOL–bref usage, such an approach can also be applied for other chronic diseases.