The goal of this Educational interventional study is to test the usefulness of an educational program delivered through WhatsApp videos in increasing oral health knowledge and habits in people with Diabetes between the age of 18 and 65 years. The main question it aims to answer is: Does a WhatsApp-based educational Program improve oral health knowledge and behaviors in people with diabetes, and is it more effective than education delivered through brochures? Participants in one group will receive educational videos through WhatsApp, while the other group receive a brochure containing oral health information. Researchers will then compare the groups to see if the intervention made a difference. Participants will: * Fill a baseline questionnaire to assess their current knowledge and behaviors. * They then either participate in a one-month educational program delivered through WhatsApp, or receive an educational brochure. * Wait for 1 month after the program to allow for application of knowledge. * Fill a post intervention questionnaire to assess changes in knowledge and behavior.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and delivered through WhatsApp may improve diabetes patients' oral health behaviors and knowledge. This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two groups: an intervention group (WhatsApp-based education) and a control group (brochure-based education). Adults (18-65 years) with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from a diabetes clinic in Karachi were recruited. 98 participants (49 in each group) were selected through random allocation. The randomization process ensured that participants are evenly distributed between the groups based on key factors, specifically gender, educational level and duration of diabetes to reduce potential bias from these characteristics. This study was a single blinded study in which participants were not informed about the existence of two distinct groups. The WhatsApp based intervention consisted of 12 short educational videos, each approximately 3 to 5 minutes in duration, these videos were sent individually to each participant every alternate day from Monday to Friday, resulting in three videos per week over a period of one month, Reminders were sent the following day after each video to encourage engagement and sustain behavior change. Each week was focused on specific HBM constructs delivered through short, professionally scripted educational videos in Urdu. Each week was focused on specific HBM constructs. The control group received only an educational brochure. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate participants' knowledge and oral hygiene practices at two points: baseline (before intervention) and one-month post-intervention. The questionnaire was designed to measure HBM constructs (e.g. perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy), awareness of oral care and oral hygiene related behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 27.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
98
The program includes short educational videos, weekly thematic content, reminders, and behavior-reinforcement messages aimed at enhancing oral health knowledge, HBM constructs, and oral hygiene behaviors among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
The Educational brochure provides information on the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and oral health and recommended oral hygiene practices. No WhatsApp based videos are provided during the study period
National Institute of Diabetes & Endocrinology
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Oral Health Knowledge Score
The participant's knowledge about the relationship between diabetes and oral health issues, will be assessed through a structured Questionnaire consisting of 10 binary items. (Yes = 1, No = 0). A total knowledge score ranging from 0 to 10 will be calculated by summing item responses, with higher scores indicating greater oral health knowledge. Pre- and post-knowledge scores will be compared, and cutoff scores will be calculated using the mean and Standard Deviation.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
Health Belief Model Construct Scores
Health Belief Model constructs, including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action, will be assessed using a structured Questionnaire. Items will be measured on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Separate construct scores will be calculated by summing item responses within each domain, with higher scores indicating stronger beliefs or perceptions related to oral health behaviors.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
Oral Hygiene Behavior Score
Participants' reported frequency and quality of oral health practices, including brushing, flossing, gingival health, and dental visits will be measured on a scale of 0(never) to 4(always) using a structured questionnaire. Higher scores indicate better oral hygiene-related behaviors. Pre- and post-intervention scores will be compared, and cutoff levels will be determined using the mean and standard deviation(SD).
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.