Android-Based Diabestfriend Application: A Digital Self-Care Management Tool for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Diabetes patients need an independent management plan that provides diet control, education, physical exercise, blood glucose control, and pharmacological therapy called self-care management. Digital self-care management makes it easy to access care comfortably without having to visit a clinic, thereby reducing the risk of disease or virus transmission, and is more time efficient. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Android-based Diabestfriend application as digital self-care management tool with educational features for controlling blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Method: Our research involved 50 participants in Central Java, Indonesia, including an experimental group (n=25) using the Diabestfriend application, and a control group (n=25) relying on standard care provided by public health facilitators every month. Self-care management and blood glucose levels were assessed over two periods: after seven months of using Diabestfriend (September 2021 to April 2022), and after a further 18 months of use (April 2022 to September 2023). Results: Self-care management (t=5.972, p<0.000) and current blood sugar values (t=-5.525, p<0.000) improved significantly in diabetes patients after using Diabestfriend over the short-term, compared to the control group. The high level of self-care (t=-6.562, p<0.000) and normal blood glucose values (t=- 5.222, p<0.000) persisted after using the digital application for 18 months. Conclusions: Diabestfriend is recommended for diabetes mellitus patients to support self-care management and improve blood glucose values in conjunction with following a routine treatment programme.

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