Evaluation of a mobile social networking application for improving diabetes Type 2 knowledge: an intervention study using WhatsApp

• Published in: Journal of comparative effectiveness research Vol. 7; no. 9; pp. 891 - 899
• Main Authors: Turki, Alanzi, Sulaiman, Bah, Sara, Alzahrani, Sirah, Alshammari, Fatima, Almunsef
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Medicine Ltd 01.09.2018
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Behavior Therapy - methods; diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - prevention & control; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - psychology; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Patient Education as Topic; Self Efficacy; Self-Management - methods; Social Networking; WhatsApp; diabetes mellitus; social networking; WhatsApp; mobile applications
• ISSN: 2042-6305; 2042-6313
• DOI: 10.2217/cer-2018-0028

The aim of this study is to evaluate the WhatsApp social networking application for improving knowledge, self-efficacy and awareness about diabetes management. The study was conducted with intervention and control groups at Teaching Hospital in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The intervention group received weekly educational messages using WhatsApp, while the control group received regular care. Statistically, compared with the control group, the diabetes knowledge and self-efficacy of the intervention group increased significantly after the intervention with the WhatsApp application. The WhatsApp application can be effectively used for enhancing diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and awareness among the Saudi population.