Addressing the ongoing needs of individuals with diabetes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines, requires a focus on regular follow-ups with healthcare teams, adherence to healthy behaviors, and effective patient education to prevent long-term complications. The aim of this study was to ascertain the impact of a comprehensive educational program for those living with diabetes in the Philippines.
In a prospective study, a convenience sample of patients living with diabetes attending a cardiac rehabilitation or an outpatient diabetes clinic in the Philippines received a 12-week education intervention. Participants completed surveys at pre- and post-intervention assessing disease-related knowledge, health literacy, dietary habits, and tobacco use. Physical activity was measured by steps taken per day using wearable devices and by self-report of minutes of moderate or vigorous-intensity exercise per week. Satisfaction with the educational materials was also evaluated by a survey composed of Likert-type scale and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics, paired
Overall, 184 individuals living with diabetes type 2 (mean age = 54.4 ± 12.4, 32% female) completed both assessments. There was significant improvement in disease-related knowledge (
Results of this study demonstrated the positive effects a comprehensive structured patient education intervention on disease-related knowledge and behaviour changes among people living with type 2 diabetes in the Philippines.