Procedure
diabetic retinopathy, ’, diabetic, diabetic knowledge/awareness, diabetes
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, DIABETES
Eligible participants were identified for their suitability to be included in the study by a trained data collector (research assistant) under the supervision of a diabetic clinician (author TLU). Participants meeting the inclusion criteria were allocated into ‘intervention’ and ‘control’ groups by simple randomization method, using random sequence of computer-generated numbers from 1-110 each representing participant number. The doctor who provided both groups with their medication and usual care was masked from participant allocation. All participants provided informed consent for taking part in the study. Baseline data on age, gender, diet, physical activity, diabetic knowledge/awareness, attitude, and practice, HbA1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), blood pressure, height, weight, and visual acuity as a log of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) were collected from participants in both groups. Questionnaire data were collected by the research assistant. Clinical data were obtained by the treating clinician, and both were blinded to each other’s findings. After the baseline data collection, only those in the intervention group were trained on a single-session multidisciplinary diabetic education program that constituted short video clips in the Nepali language developed following a brainstorming session with a multidisciplinary team of experts (Data collection on knowledge/awareness was repeated immediately after the training for those participants in the intervention group to ascertain whether participants understood the information provided in the video. A dietary recall questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake during the previous 24 hours in order for a dietician to develop a customized diet plan for each participant in the intervention group. Levels of physical activity were also ascertained. A patient-centered dietary and physical activity intervention with specific targets to practice at home, together with a logbook for keeping a daily record of their diet and physical activity routine, was developed as provided in The outcome measures compared after 3 months were HbA1c, cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI (weight in kilogram/height in meter squared), visual acuity, knowledge/awareness, and practice about diabetes, and attendance at diabetic retinopathy screening.