Impact of Diabetes Self-Management Education on Glycemic Control and Self-Care Practices Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Tripoli, Libya

Abstract

Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is a critical component of diabetes care, providing patients with essential knowledge and skills for effective self-care, crisis management, and lifestyle modifications. Despite its importance, research on DSME remains limited in Arabic-speaking countries, including Libya, highlighting the need for further evidence to improve implementation and outcomes. This study compared two groups of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients: those who regularly attended DSME workshops and those who did not, assessing differences in diabetes knowledge, dietary adherence, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, emergency management, complication screening, psychological well-being, awareness dissemination, treatment adherence, and HbA1c levels. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire (April 2019–January 2020; N=85), data were analyzed via SPSS version 20 with independent t-tests and chi-square tests (significance: p<0.05). Results showed that the DSME group achieved significantly better glycemic control (mean HbA1c 7.4% vs. 8.5%), higher treatment adherence (89.3% vs. 7%), and greater diabetes knowledge (85.7% vs. 59.5%). They also demonstrated more frequent glucose monitoring (5 vs. 2 days/week), healthier diets (4 vs. 1 day/week), increased physical activity (3.5 vs. 2.5 days/week), improved emergency management (78.6% vs. 53.2%), and more consistent complication screenings (4 vs. 2 days/week). Additionally, the DSME group reported better psychological well-being (82.1% vs. 64.9%). These findings underscore the significant benefits of DSME in enhancing diabetes self-management and clinical outcomes, suggesting that Libyan health authorities should prioritize expanding access to structured DSME programs. Further research should explore context-specific adaptations to optimize diabetes care in diverse settings.