Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease and a major health problem in Thailand. The objective
of this study was to develop a problem-solving model for diabetes mellitus in a community, in the
hope that it could reduce hemoglobinA1C and increase the quality of life of diabetes mellitus
patients. The diabetes mellitus problem-solving activity was operated in six villages of Ubonratana
District in Khoan Kaen Province. Fifty-two diabetes mellitus patients participated for six months in
the problem-solving activity, which was operated by health volunteers; it involved promoting exercise,
controlling diet and optimizing drug compliance. The problem-solving patterns were monthly
meetings, home visits and health education. The average hemoglobinA1C of the diabetes mellitus
patients was 9.9 percent, but after their participation it dropped to 8.7 percent. The quality-of-life
score (WHO QOL short form 26) was 88.7; it increased to 101.1 after the activity. The changes in
the average HbA1C and quality-of-life scores are statistically significant. The conclusion of this study
was that a diabetes mellitus problem-solving activity in a community may be able to reduce HbA1C
and increase the quality-of-life score.
