Abstract
The objective of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effects of counseling
on self-care behavior among diabetic patients in Nongpok Community Hospital,
Roi Et Province. The subjects included 30 diabetic out-patients with a fasting plasma
glucose level > 140 mg/dl who were selected by purposive sampling from those attending
the diabetic clinic and agreed to participate in the study. They received counseling on
self-care issues in respect of food modification, treatment and drug use, foot care, emotional
control, prevention of complications, and proper exercise. Data on self-care behavior,
fasting plasma glucose, and body mass index were obtained from the participants
before and three months after the program ended. Percentage and mean were used for
descriptive analysis; Pearson’s correlation, chi-square test or paired t-test were used to
determine the association between data before and after the program.
The results showed the mean scores of self-care behavior following the counseling
program were significantly higher than those obtained on commencing the program, and
the levels of fasting plasma glucose were significantly reduced after the counseling program.
The body mass index of the patients, however, remained unchanged. Counseling
on self-care behavior may be advocated for use in diabetic patients.
