ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the application effect of peer support education in improving theself-management ability of old patients with diabetes. Methods A total of 160 cases of old patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated and hospitalized from June 2014 to August 2015 were selected, then equally divided into observation group and control group through using random number method.Finally, 76 cases were studiedin observation group, while 75 cases in control group. The health education guidance of conventional diabetes had been used in two groups for six months, and the peer support education was also conducted for the patients in observation group on the basis of conventional education. The self-management ability, insulin standard injection knowledge-belief and attitude-behavior/practice (KAP) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value of old patients with diabetes were observed before intervention, 3 months and 6 months later, respectively. Also,the hypoglycemia frequency in two groups was compared during intervention. Results After three months of intervention, the score of diet, exercise management, glucose monitoring, foot care, pharmaceutical administration and smoke for self-management ability in observation group was 4.63 ± 0.92, 4.18 ± 0.97, 2.86 ± 0.96, 2.35 ± 0.59, 4.01 ± 1.43 and 0.62 ± 0.29, respectively, while that of these indicators in control group was 3.69 ± 0.83, 3.52 ± 0.67, 1.75 ± 0.67, 1.63 ± 0.72, 3.05 ± 1.39 and 0.59 ± 0.38. Except smoke (P > 0.05), the differences between two groups were statistically significant (t=2.987-5.965, P 0.05). Then, the insulin was normally injected in observation group after six months of intervention, the score of knowledge, attitude and behavior was 5.63 ± 1.87, 43.17 ± 6.03 and 16.57 ± 1.59, while that in control group was 3.76 ± 0.83, 23.71 ± 0.59 and 10.16 ± 0.95. The differences between two groups were statistically significant (t= 8.569, 15.623, 6.751, P<0.01). Also, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin was decreased from (8.17 ± 0.32) % to (7.16 ± 0.41) %, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-3.560, P=0.000). Conclusions Peer support education couldenhance the self-management consciousness of old patients with diabetes, standardize the insulin injection, improve the ability of self-management and improve glucose metabolism index so that it is worthy of being clinically popularized and applied.