The effect of smartphone-based education on self-efficacy of women with gestational diabetes: A controlled clinical trial

Abstract

"Background and Aim: Women with gestational diabetes are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Development of self-efficacy is an important tool for active participation in treatment and behavioral change and can have a significant effect on type 2 diabetes-preventative behaviors. Therefore, it is necessary to search for an effective teaching method to improve the self-efficacy of these individuals. Accordingly, the aim of the present article is to determine the effect of smartphone-based education on self-efficacy in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 women with GDM (n=45 individuals per group) at Yas Medical Center, Tehran. GDM software was installed on the cell phone of the intervention group. The control group only received the prenatal routine training. The self-efficacy questionnaire was completed before and 6 weeks after the intervention by the two groups. Data analysis was carried out using Chi-square, t-test, independent t-test, and Fisher exact test in SPSS ver. 16. P-value 0.05 was considered as the significance level. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of self-efficacy changes before and 6 weeks after the intervention (p 0.001), meaning that these changes were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion: Smartphone-based education can increase self-efficacy in women with GDM as an effective and low-cost method "