Develop a Blood Sugar Control Model for Elderly Diabetes Patients Through a Participatory Planning technique (AIC) at Ban Srabak Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Phayakkhaphumphisai District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

Background and Aims: Ban Srabak's subdistrict health-promoting hospital caters to 622 elderly individuals, with 176, or 28.29%, receiving a diagnosis of diabetes (DM). In 2023, challenges in accessing public health services, such as consistent medication, regular blood sugar monitoring, and annual health checks, were identified. Additional issues included economic and environmental problems in communities. This study aims to develop a blood sugar control model for elderly diabetic patients through participatory planning (AIC) to enhance their quality of life and facilitate their comfortable integration into society.

Methodology: This research employed a participatory action research methodology, following the six-step AIC participatory planning process: 1) Understanding the situation, 2) Creating a vision, 3) Developing strategies, 4) Prioritizing activities, 5) Assigning responsibilities, and 6) Formulating plans/projects. The sample consisted of 122 participants: 35 elderly diabetic patients with uncontrolled blood sugar, 35 relatives/caregivers, 35 public health volunteers, and 17 healthcare professionals. Data were collected using a questionnaire that assessed four areas of self-care behavior in diabetic patients: diet, exercise, emotional management, and medication adherence. Blood sugar levels were measured before and after the 12-week intervention. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and a paired Sample t-test for comparing mean scores.

Results: The study found that: 1) The self-care model for elderly diabetic patients, their families, and healthcare teams is a holistic approach. It provides social support that helps patients recognize their self-worth, increase awareness, and empower them to make decisions regarding their health behaviors. This model successfully helps patients control their blood sugar levels. 2) After using the self-care model, patients significantly improved in health behaviors related to diet, exercise, and emotional management compared to before its implementation (p-value<0.05). Blood sugar levels showed a statistically significant improvement after the intervention (p-value<0.05).

Conclusion: The self-care health model for diabetic patients involves recording health behavior data in a personal diabetes handbook, with encouragement from family and follow-up from healthcare teams and village health volunteers. This approach has proven effective in helping patients successfully control their blood sugar levels.